When most Tennessee workers get injured on the job, they have a right to apply for Tennessee workers’ compensation benefits. Too often though, these individuals don’t receive the care they deserve, prompting some researchers to examine what factors can help improve the outcomes of injured workers.
Last year, a team with the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute interviewed 402 workers who suffered on-the-job injuries in 2011. They found two main areas that could help improve the outcomes of these cases.
The first was the amount of trust between the employee and the employer. Many injured Tennessee workers—45 percent to be exact—feared being fired from their jobs after being injured. If this is the case, many workers may fail to report injuries, putting them at risk of serious complications that could further extend their inability to work.
The team also determined that taking a closer look at conditions that accompany injuries—referred to as comorbid conditions—often suffered by workers. Some of the most typically reported comorbid conditions include hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, almost 30 percent of injured workers reported suffering from more than one comorbid condition.
At Ponce Law, we understand the struggles many disabled workers face and our Nashville personal injury lawyers are hopeful this study helps to improve the quality of care these individuals receive.