Factors affecting workers' compensation claims activity.

Abstract

This study examined whether and to what degree workers' compensation claims activity is related to the regulatory environment, prevalence of occupational injury, and employment conditions. A major finding was that when economic conditions induce people to leave the work force, a related increase in workers' compensation claims tends to occur. This statistically significant relationship was evident in both the recent history of workers' compensation awards for occupational hearing loss in West Virginia and in federal workers' compensation claims activity during the 1970s.