At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, we’re committed to fighting for our clients who are injured on the job. Our commitment shows in recent medical benefits and wage-loss award rulings in our clients’ favor. And we’re committed to that representation for every client – including those who continue to work as they age.
“Working past retirement” is becoming the new norm for older workers. About 25 percent of US residents over age 55 and 20 percent over age 65 are still working in some capacity, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As older workers stay in or rejoin the workforce, they raise special issues in workers’ compensation claims.
Mixed Results for Older Workers
Workers’ compensation data tells two seemingly conflicting stories about older workers. First, the data shows that older workers tend to get injured less often than their younger counterparts. Insurers say this may be because older workers are more cautious on the job. Experience in a role also teaches workers how to avoid injury and makes safety practices a habit.
While older workers may suffer fewer injuries overall, the total rates of injury to them are rising. This may be because the total percentage of workers ages 60 and older is going up, too. In 2023, claims involving workers ages 60 and over rose 2.8 percent compared to 2023, according to Travelers Insurance.
Yet the numbers also show that when an older worker gets injured, the costs can be higher than for younger workers. An older worker’s injuries can be more medically complex. They can also take longer to heal, which can affect a workers’ compensation claim.
How Costs – and Cases – Get More Complex
Any workers’ compensation case can involve multiple complex injuries, days off work, and permanent limitations. When an older worker is injured, however, the likelihood of these events increases.
Insurance industry data shows that older workers need nine more days off work to recover than younger workers, on average. For many older workers, this means that workers’ compensation must cover temporary disability benefits until the injured person can go back to work.
Medical costs also increase the total cost of a workers’ compensation claim. Older workers, especially those 65 and older, are more likely to have one or more “comorbid conditions.” These are medical conditions that interact with a work-related injury.
For older workers, common comorbid conditions include diabetes, arthritis, and obesity. Diabetes can delay the healing of injuries. Arthritis can make it more difficult to recover fully, especially when an injury involves a bone or joint. Obesity can also complicate both treatment and recovery.
Comorbid conditions often make treatment and recovery tougher for an injured worker. Insurance companies estimate that a workers’ compensation claim’s medical costs double when a worker has one comorbid condition. If the worker has two or more comorbid conditions, costs can be five times higher. Overall, insurers estimate that the wage and medical costs for older workers make their workers’ compensation claims 35 percent more expensive than claims for younger workers.
The Consequences of Work-Related Injuries
Older workers often aren’t working for the fun of it. In an AARP study, 48 percent of respondents – all working older adults – said they went back to work because they needed the money. About 40 percent said they needed money to fund their everyday living costs, like food and shelter. Only about 14 percent said they went back because they were bored or wanted to help others.
Even workers who officially retired from another lifelong career are still working to meet their financial needs. These “bridge jobs” are common in fields like retail, hospitality, transportation, and other areas that need part-time or flexible workers. Many jobs require workers to stand for long periods, lift objects, or perform repetitive motions. All these activities can cause work-related injuries.
When a work-related injury occurs, an injured employee needs help – no matter their age. Medical bills, the cost of lost wages, and other expenses pile up. Older workers face higher costs in these areas than their younger counterparts on average. Without workers’ compensation or other benefits, a work-related injury can hit an older worker even harder than it would someone younger.
If you’ve been injured on the job, talk to an experienced Arkansas personal injury lawyer today. The team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. is here to assist you. Reach out to us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our workers’ compensation attorneys.
