Social and economic consequences of workplace injury: a population-based study of workers in British Columbia, Canada.

BACKGROUND

Existing research suggests that workplace injuries can have significant economic and social consequences for workers; but there are no quantitative studies on complete populations.

METHODS

The British Columbia Linked Health Database (BCLHD) was used to examine 1994 injured workers who lost work time due to the injury (LT) and a group of injured individuals who did not lose time after their injuries (NLT). Three outcomes were explored: (1) residential change, (2) marital instability, and (3) social assistance use. Logistic regression adjusted for several individual and injury characteristics.

RESULTS

LTs were more likely to move and collect income assistance benefits, and less likely to experience a relationship break-up than the NLTs. LTs off work for 12 or more weeks were more likely to receive income assistance than LTs off for less time.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased risk suggests that the long-term economic consequences of disabling work injury may not be fully mitigated by workers compensation benefits.