Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury by Severity Among Work-Related Injured Workers From 2010 to 2019

Abstract

Our results revealed differences in the incidence rates of moderate-to-severe TBI and mild TBI, along with pertinent differences in time lost from work between the two groups; the study highlights the need for providing information on mild TBI to workers as part of occupational safety and health education.

Epidemiology of Work-Related Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

“…In our study, the mean total cost per claim was 231.40 million KRW (approximately US $160,000). This cost is more than double that of the mean total cost per claim (90.29 million KRW) in moderate to severe work-related traumatic brain injury in Korea 18 . A US study of work-related tetraplegia reported that the mean first-year medical cost was US $178,041 to $560,524 per case, depending on the severity (1989 to 1999) 13 .…”

“…Moreover, the subsequent increase in incidence could be attributed to the increased number of IIWs due to the abolition of the employer confirmation system for improved accessibility, which enabled workers to file for claims due to industrial injuries. 16,18 The incidence of TSCI in the cervical region was the highest, accounting for more than half of all TSCI cases (approximately 57%). This finding is similar to that of the epidemiology of the whole TSCI.…”

“…Therefore, the expanded WCI coverage could have influenced the incidence rate. Moreover, the subsequent increase in incidence could be attributed to the increased number of IIWs due to the abolition of the employer confirmation system for improved accessibility, which enabled workers to file for claims due to industrial injuries 16,18 …”

Frequency and Cost of Claims by Injury Type From the Korea Workers’ Compensation Insurance Between 2016 and 2019

“…This is considered to be a result of Korea's policy to strengthen access to industrial accident compensation insurance and in particular, the abolition of the employer confirmation system in 2018. The abolition of this system allowed workers to apply for industrial accident claims without the employer's confirmation, which may have led to an increase in the number of injured workers 12,28,29 . Each year, the mean cost ratio for single injuries increased, while that for multiple injuries decreased (Fig.…”

Prediction Model for Job Retention According to the Type of Return to Work Among Industrially Injured Workers in Korea

“… 23 , 24 In Korea, return-to-work programs (work capacity evaluation and work capacity build-up programs) are supported, mainly focusing on physical problems. 25 However, this suggests that not only physical but also neuropsychiatric problems need to be considered when returning to work.…”