Independent government and private-sector research and upcoming oral arguments in a highly anticipated case are raising questions about the equity of the U.S. workers compensation system and the long-term viability of exclusive remedy provisions.
On Wednesday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration released a report examining the toll workplace injuries and illnesses exact on society. The report concludes that accumulated changes in the states' workers comp programs have shifted the costs of treating injured workers away from employers, which now provide about 20% of the financial cost of treating workplace injuries and illnesses through workers comp.