Investigating the relationship between worker demographics and nature of injury on Federal Department of Defense workers' compensation injury rates and costs from 2000 to 2008.
OBJECTIVE
This is the first study of workers' compensation injuries and costs in Department of Defense workers that examined whether any demographic factors including age, sex, occupation, and nature of injury altered the risks or costs of an injury or illness over time.


METHODS
Department of Defense Workers' Compensation claims for period 2000 to 2008 were analyzed (n = 142,115) using Defense Portal Analysis and Defense Manpower Data Center to calculate injury rates and costs. Regression analysis was done using SPSS to examine the change in the risk of injury or illness over time from 2000 to 2008.


RESULTS
The age group of 30 to 34 years had the lowest costs per claim and highest claims rate, 332 per 10,000. The age group of 65 to 70 years had the lowest claims rate of 188 per 10,000 but the highest costs per claim. Claims cost increased $69 for each 5-year group, and older workers had a threefold increase in costs per claim.


CONCLUSIONS
Younger workers get hurt more often, but older workers tend to have more expensive claims.
From the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program (Drs Mallon and Cherry), Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md; and Regional Health and Medical Services (Dr Cherry), Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, Calif.
Timothy M
TM
Mallon
Scott E
SE
Cherry
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology; D009790:Occupations; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States; D059030:United States Department of Defense / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult