Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Cost Drivers of Workers' Compensation Low Back Injury Claims in an Academic Health System, 2015-2024
Akbar Sharip1, Kimberly Kinney2, Cesar Reis3
1. Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
Objective:
Quantify costs, durations, incidence trends, and risk factors for WC lower-back injury claims in an academic health system.
Methods:
Observational review of 797 closed claims (2015-2024) evaluating demographics, occupation, mechanism, tenure, days away from work, and temporal trends.
Results:
Mean cost $10,973 (median $3,294); mean duration 197 days (median 74). Top 5% of claims averaged $114,548 and 1,819 days, accounting for 52.1% of total costs. Nurses and patient care assistants were most affected; lifting and pushing/pulling were leading mechanisms. Higher costs were associated with longer duration, occupation, male sex, older age, and shorter tenure. Incidence declined 8.4% annually. OEM-managed claims had lower mean costs than externally managed claims ($9,701 vs $19,880).
Conclusions:
Lower-back WC claims show a substantial but declining burden; integrated OEM management was associated with lower costs.
Related Concept Videos
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
