The Frequency, Severity, and Economic Consequences of Musculoskeletal Injuries to Firefighters in California

doi:https://doi.org/10.7249/mg1018

The Frequency, Severity, and Economic Consequences of Musculoskeletal Injuries to Firefighters in California

Seth A. Seabury,Christopher F. McLaren-2010-01-01-RAND Corporation eBooks

27

TL;DRAbstract

The most common work-related injuries among firefighters are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The strict physical demands of the job and limited modified work opportunities suggest that MSDs are potentially more disruptive and costly to firefighters than to others. The importance of understanding the frequency and severity of firefighter MSDs has become heightened due to changes to the California workers' compensation landscape since 2004, including the reduction of permanent-disability ratings that occurred due to the adoption of a new disability rating system and new rules for apportioning disability with respect to job-related causation, the adoption of treatment guidelines to provide utilization review in workers' compensation medical care, and the imposition of caps on the number of times injured workers can be reimbursed for use of chiropractic care and physical therapy. Each of these could have a potentially disadvantageous and disproportionate impact on firefighters with MSDs.

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The most common work-related injuries among firefighters are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The strict physical demands of the job and limited modified work opportunities suggest that MSDs are potentially more disruptive and costly to firefighters than to others. The importance of understanding the frequency and severity of firefighter MSDs has become heightened due to changes to the California workers' compensation landscape since 2004, including the reduction of permanent-disability ratings that occurred due to the adoption of a new disability rating system and new rules for apportioning disability with respect to job-related causation, the adoption of treatment guidelines to provide utilization review in workers' compensation medical care, and the imposition of caps on the number of times injured workers can be reimbursed for use of chiropractic care and physical therapy. Each of these could have a potentially disadvantageous and disproportionate impact on firefighters with MSDs.

Keywords

EarningsCompensation (psychology)Work (physics)Musculoskeletal injuryOccupational safety and healthWorkers' compensationMedicineHuman factors and ergonomics

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