Who bears the cost of workers injuries? 63% is paid out of pocket by workers, their families and private health insurance, while taxpayers pay 16% and workers' comp pays only 21%.
OSHA has released a study that examines the inequality that results from a workplace injury and the costs of failing to protect workers on the job. The main points are:
> Work injuries and illnesses impose heavy costs on workers, families, and the economy
> Injured workers and taxpayers subsidize high hazard employers
> The changing structure of work in the U.S. increases risk of injury and contributes to income inequality
> Occupational injuries and illnesses strain social insurance programs and result in taxpayer subsidies of unsafe employers
> The most effective solution is greater efforts to prevent work injuries and illnesses. |