Is Obesity Associated With Adverse Workers' Compensation Claims Outcomes? A Pilot Study.

Abstract

Obesity is associated with an increased risk for many chronic illnesses and disability. To assess the relationship between obesity and delayed return to work and workers' compensation claim costs for both minor and significant injuries. There were 1107 workers who filed a workers' compensation claim with the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation in 2011 that were followed up to the end of the first quarter of 2014. Adjusting for sex, age, marital status, and attorney involvement, the odds ratio of an obese versus normal weight claimant returning to work after a severe injury was 3.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.26 to 10.14) and claim expenses $100,000 or more, 3.19 (95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 8.62). Obesity was associated with increased time lost from work and costs among workers' compensation claimants sustaining severe, but not minor injuries.