{"id":4531,"date":"2018-08-07T08:33:04","date_gmt":"2018-08-07T12:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/?p=4531"},"modified":"2018-08-07T08:33:04","modified_gmt":"2018-08-07T12:33:04","slug":"how-the-changing-workforce-is-affecting-workers-compensation-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/how-the-changing-workforce-is-affecting-workers-compensation-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Changing Workforce is Affecting Workers\u2019 Compensation Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the <\/span>Claims Journal<\/span><\/a>, more and more older workers are continuing to work well past retirement age. While older workers bring a lot of skills and experience to their jobs, old age is a factor in people becoming injured. The Journal story cites data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2017 which shows that the 65 and older work category is likely to grow faster than any other age group through 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another <\/span>Claims Journal<\/span><\/a> article cited that senior employment (65 and older) increased 101 % between 1997 and 2007. Employment of seniors 75 and older grew by 172% during this time. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020 25%of Americans will be older than 55.<\/span><\/p>\n

Workers between 25 and 54 are not expected to grow as much as older workers in part due to declining birth rates. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why seniors are still working<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n

Some of the reasons seniors are working longer are seniors are living longer because of better medical care, financial need, and the lack of good workers. Another factor is the desire of older workers to be productive.<\/span><\/p>\n

A major concern about older workers isn\u2019t so much that their get hurt more \u2013 it\u2019s that their injuries tend to me more severely injured when they do have an accident. Many older workers who suffer a workplace accident do die. As an example, nearly 3,200 workers 55 or older were killed in vehicle accidents between 1992 and 2002. 22% of these accidents were work-related. Falls are another cause of fatal accidents for the elderly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Older workers, according to Department of Labor statistics, are more likely to develop disabilities. Seniors are at increased risk for diabetes and obesity. While these conditions don\u2019t automatically qualify a worker for work benefits, if another cause (such as a fall) causes injury \u2013 these conditions can make the recovery time much longer. Other pre-existing conditions can also extend the recovery time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Older workers are also more likely to experience sprains and strains if they do manual labor work. The Claims Journal stories also indicate that older workers can have more mental challenges processing information which can lead to more accidents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Practical suggestions<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Department of Labor recommends that employers consider these programs to help reduce injuries to older workers:<\/span><\/p>\n