In June, the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) released the results of its multi-year study examining the outcomes of health care received by injured workers. The WCRI is an independent non-profit research organization based in Cambridge, MA. The study, entitled Comparing Outcomes for Injured Workers, examined worker data regarding recovery of physical health and functioning, return to work, earnings recovery, and the workers’ access to and satisfaction with their medical care.
The research data was collected from 15 states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Each state had its own report showcasing trends in injured employee healthcare, and the results varied widely. For example, workers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin reported lower-than-normal rate of difficulty in getting the desired healthcare services. Michigan reported a lower-than-typical rate of not achieving substantial return to work, while Wisconsin showed higher-than-typical rates of substantial return to work and satisfaction with medical services. Florida workers, however, reported higher rates of problems accessing services and desired providers, as well as a higher rate of overall dissatisfaction with their care.
Members of the WCRI include stakeholders such as employers, government agencies, insurers and insurance regulators, healthcare providers, state labor organizations, and state administrative agencies. By evaluating injured workers’ experiences with the Workers’ Compensation systems available to them, the WCRI helps these stakeholders identify potential areas of improvement to give workers the best possible outcome. A work injury in Pennsylvania can have devastating consequences for employees, who face lost wages and may be temporarily or permanently disabled.
If you have suffered a workplace injury or illness, call the Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers at Galfand Berger. Our knowledgeable, experienced legal team will thoroughly review the facts of your case to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, Reading, and Allentown, we help injured workers throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call us today at 1-800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online for a free consultation with a qualified Workers’ Compensation lawyer.