A leading trial attorney who’s made a career representing employers has a distressing forecast:  the number of worker’s comp claims will double in the next 10 years. While the claim seems as brash as it’s depressing when you consider his reasoning, it’s time to prepare.
The forecast impacts will land on public sector as well as private employers.
Phil Walker spoke before the Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare annual conference. He cited three trends causing the increase, and he has historical precedent to predict the behavior of affected employees. He also offers a sound idea to insulate employers, at least to some degree.
The most significant trend is the elimination of low-paying jobs where workers are replaced by technology. Warehouse, fast food and medical support jobs are likely to fall prey to the trend. When low end jobs are eliminated, the displaced workers file claims.
Municipal bankruptcies are another growing trend and along with them, benefits will likely be cut or eliminated. Using the example of United Airlines’ bankruptcy, Walker observed that 100% of “retired” employees filed claims and not one settled.
Obamacare’s greatest impact might be on the practice of medicine itself, in response to its assault on doctor’s pocketbooks. Walker had some hard words for physicians, but the reality of Obamacare’s and Medicare’s skimpy payments is driving doctors to find more productive areas of practice.
What can you do? One sound suggestion is to implement pre-termination physicals to establish the departing employee’s condition before they leave. He offers others in this article.