Not much, at least according to workers’ comp legend Frank Neuhauser. In an article published in last month’s Perspectives, the IAIABC journal, [sub req] Neuhauser argues that workers’ compensation is no longer needed for 90% of America’s employees, as the workplace has become safer than the non-occ environment.
Noting that the occupational injury rate has dropped precipitously over the last 25 years, he draws a contrast between today’s occupational risks and those extant 100 years ago when workers’ comp was just a few years old. This contrast is so compelling that Neuhauser makes the case that workers’ comp insurance is superfluous, unnecessary as the risks are so low in our largely service economy. Further, he makes the case that this safe workplace is one of the primary reasons to do away with work comp. Moreover, the medical care that would be needed for those few injuries that do occur can be delivered via health insurance, while disability coverage can simply be added to workers’ existing short- and long-term disability.
I find Neuhauser’s case far from compelling. In fact, it is so far-fetched at least one very knowledgeable colleague wondered if Neuhauser had penned the piece just to provoke discussion.
If that was his mission, it was accomplished. At today’s Maine Workers’ Comp Summit, all panelists at the Think Tank disagreed with the central premises of Neuhauser’s case, raising multiple objections to his data and logic. Here are a few.
- About a third of workers have disability coverage. What about the other two-thirds?
- About 15% of workers do not have health insurance.
- Employers have worked diligently to reduce injuries and risks thereof in large part because they pay higher premiums with higher injury rates. Removing that financial incentives would almost certainly result in higher injury rates.
- Eliminating workers’ comp would also eliminate the tort protection enjoyed by employers in today’s no-fault system.
- In some cases, there is no tort system as a recourse. As Think Tanker Alison Denham pointed out, some injuries, such as those suffered by fire professionals, have no “cause of tort.” Who would an injured fire professional sue?
Pennsylvania Judge David Torrey succinctly addresses many of Neuhauser’s arguments, bringing a much-needed legal perspective.
The net? Sorry, Frank. Work comp is here to stay.
It may be here to stay, but the jobs seem to be disappearing. Or at least shrinking along with the industry.
Yet, there are service jobs that engender a bit of risk and injury, but not as much as with industrial jobs.
Interesting post today, Joe.
“Every single day in the United States, 9000 healthcare workers sustain a disabling injury while performing work-related tasks. Disabling back injury and back pain affect 38% of nursing staff.”
Slattery M. Epidemic hazards of nursing. Am J Nurs. November 1998;11:50–53.
I would put that up against many industrial jobs.