OSHA Workers' Compensation Data in Question Due to Employee Underreporting
According to an article posted on New York Times’s website, many employees are not reporting work-related injuries and are consequently are not enacting their rights to safe working conditions. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report Monday, indicating that the underreporting is a result of employee fears of hurting work and contract opportunities, being disciplined or fired, increased workers’ compensation costs and preventing benefits to colleagues. Still, workers who don’t report injuries also have to foot the bill for any medical visits and supplies, prescriptions, and therapy necessary for treatment.
The lack of reporting also has a direct affect on the accuracy of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data and reports. Inefficient data can prevent new and more efficient legislation regarding workers’ compensation from passing. The GAO also reported that over a third of occupational health practitioners surveyed stated that employers had pressured them to “play down” work-related injuries or illnesses in order to minimize the number of reports.
Missouri employers are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance for workers and are legally bound to financially assist employees with work-related injuries and illness. It is illegal for an employer to terminate employment if a workers’ compensation claim is filed, unless the extent of the injury permanently prevents the employee from continuing to work. Should permanent disability occur, the injured party is entitled to recoup compensation for loss of use of the affected body parts.
If you have been injured at work or feel that your injury report did not receive proper attention, contact an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney. Employees should not be pressured into obstructing their rights to workers’ compensation. The professional Missouri workers’ compensation lawyers at Page Cagle will gladly give you a free consultation and help you understand your rights.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/us/17osha.html?_r=1
