Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) and Adverse Surprises

A 2005 WCRI study of 12 large states including North Carolina for 2005 showed that North Carolina was in the top 5 states for adverse surprises. Adverse surprises means that the medical and wage loss expenses were worse than previous data would have suggested. One of the reasons for adverse outcomes is chronic pain. Chronic pain was found often in the form of chronic back pain and because of multiple surgeries. These adverse surprise costs can dramatically change the cost of medical payouts. Typically, adverse surprises raise the medical costs 30 to 40 percent. In one case it raised the state costs by 57 percent. Not only did the cost of these adverse surprises increase but the frequency of adverse cases increased in many states – including North Carolina.

The study didn’t say what caused these adverse surprises, though some of the solutions suggested were better medical strategies and better public policy. As a result of this study, it is hoped that the WCRI will conduct more research to determine the causes of adverse surprises and to further define what medical conditions are most susceptible to increased costs.

It is worth noting that as a result of the change in the State Legislative makeup over the past few years, an overhaul occurred insofar as many of North Carolina’s injury laws and workers compensation laws in 2011.

Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Help

Attorney Joe Miller knows that injured workers want to work but that often their injuries won’t let them work. He’ll make sure workers return when they’re able and if they can’t return to work because of a permanent disability that they get just compensation. Joe Miller has been helping injured accident victims and filing worker’s compensation claims for over a quarter of a century, so call Joe Miller Law, today at (888) 694-1671 for the help you need.