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The cost of work-related physical assaults in Minnesota
P McGovern1, L Kochevar, W Lohman
1Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
Objective:
To describe the long-term productivity costs of occupational assaults.
Data Sources/Study Setting:
All incidents of physical assaults that resulted in indemnity payments, identified from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Workers' Compensation system in 1992. Medical expenditures were obtained from insurers, and data on lost wages, legal fees, and permanency ratings were collected from DLI records. Insurance administrative expenses were estimated. Lost fringe benefits and household production losses were imputed.
Study Design:
The human capital approach was used to describe the long-term costs of occupational assaults. Economic software was used to apply a modified version of Rice, MacKenzie, and Associates' (1989) model for estimating the present value of past losses from 1992 through 1995 for all cases, and the future losses for cases open in 1996.
Principal Findings:
The total costs for 344 nonfatal work-related assaults were estimated at $5,885,448 (1996 dollars). Calculation of injury incidence and average costs per case and per employee identified populations with an elevated risk of assault. An analysis by industry revealed an elevated risk for workers employed in justice and safety (incidence: 198/100,000; $19,251 per case; $38 per employee), social service (incidence: 127/100,000; $24,210 per case; $31 per employee), and health care (incidence: 76/100,000; $13,197 per case; $10 per employee).
Conclusions:
Identified subgroups warrant attention for risk factor identification and prevention efforts. Cost estimates can serve as the basis for business calculations on the potential value of risk management interventions.
Insights
Occupational assaults cost over $5.8 million, with justice, social service, and healthcare workers facing the highest risks. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies to reduce workplace violence costs.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Health Economics
- Workplace Safety
Background:
- Occupational assaults represent a significant but often underestimated economic burden.
- Understanding the long-term productivity costs associated with these incidents is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the long-term economic impact of occupational assaults.
- To identify high-risk industries and worker populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Workers' Compensation system (1992 incidents).
- Employed the human capital approach and economic modeling to estimate medical expenditures, lost wages, legal fees, and imputed household production losses.
- Calculated present and future economic losses from 1992 through 1996.
Main Results:
- Total estimated costs for 344 nonfatal assaults reached $5,885,448 (1996 dollars).
- Elevated assault risks were identified in justice and safety (198/100,000), social services (127/100,000), and healthcare (76/100,000) industries.
- Average costs per case varied significantly by industry, with social services incurring the highest per-case cost ($24,210).
Conclusions:
- Specific worker subgroups face higher risks of occupational assault and warrant targeted prevention efforts.
- Cost data can inform business decisions regarding the value of investing in risk management interventions to mitigate workplace violence.