title: Predictors of time to claim closure following a non-catastrophic injury sustained in a motor vehicle crash: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research suggests that exposure to the compensation system (including time to case closure) could adversely influence a persons' recovery following injury. However, the long-term predictors of time to claim closure following minor road traffic injuries remain unclear. We aimed to assess a wide spectrum of factors that could influence time to claim closure (socio-demographic, compensation-related, health, psychosocial and pre-injury factors) over 24 months following a non-catastrophic injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study of 364 participants involved in a compensation scheme following a motor vehicle crash. We used a telephone-administered questionnaire to obtain information on potential explanatory variables. Information on time to claim closure was obtained from an insurance regulatory authority maintained database, and was classified as the duration between the crash date and claim settlement date, and categorized into < 12 (early), > 12-24 (medium) and > 24 months (late).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Just over half of claimants (54 %) had settled their claim by 12 months, while 17 % and 30 % took > 12-24 months and > 24 months for claim closure, respectively. Whiplash at baseline was associated with claim closure time of > 12-24 months versus < 12 months: multivariable-adjusted OR 2.38 (95 % CI 1.06-5.39). Claimants who were overweight/obese versus normal/underweight at the time of injury were ~3.0-fold more likely to settle their claim at > 12-24 months than < 12 months. Consulting a lawyer was associated with a 10.4- and 21.0-fold increased likelihood of settling a claim at > 12-24 months and > 24 months, respectively. Each 1-unit increase in Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire scores at baseline was associated with greater odds of both medium (> 12-24 months) and delayed claim settlement date (> 24 months): multivariable-adjusted OR 1.04 (95 % CU 1.01-1.07) and 1.02 (95 % CI 1.00-1.05), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Around a third of claimants with a minor injury had not settled by 24 months. Health-related factors and lawyer involvement independently influenced time to claim closure.
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Corner Reserve Road & First Avenue, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia. bamini.gopinath@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Bamini
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Corner Reserve Road & First Avenue, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Nieke A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Elbers
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Corner Reserve Road & First Avenue, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Jagnoor
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jagnoor
authors.affiliation: Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Research Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Corner Reserve Road & First Avenue, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Petrina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Research Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.|School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blyth
authors.affiliation: George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.affiliation: John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Corner Reserve Road & First Avenue, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia.
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D035881:Compensation and Redress; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Claim closure; Cohort; Compensation; Minor injury; Predictors; Road traffic crash