Work status after workers’ compensation claims for upper limb musculoskeletal disorders
- 1Consultation de Pathologie Professionnelle, CHU, F-49033 Angers, France
- 2Inspection médicale du travail des Pays-de-la-Loire, DRTE-FP, 26 Bd Gaston-Gâche – 44263 Nantes, France
- Correspondence to: Dr Y Roquelaure Consultation de Pathologie Professionnelle, CHU, F-49033 Angers, France; Yvroquelaurechu-angers.fr
- Accepted 14 February 2003
Abstract
Aim: To provide information on employment status after workers’ compensation (WC) claims for musculoskeletal disorders of the limbs (MSDs).
Methods: Two-year follow up of the workers who filed a WC claim for MSDs in 1996 in the Pays de la Loire region. Of the 701 eligible workers, 514 workers (70%) participated. Information was requested by means of a mailed questionnaire about the characteristics of the MSDs and job status at the time of the WC claim and two years later.
Results: Two years after the WC claim, 65% of the claimants had returned to work in the same company, often without any ergonomic improvement, 12% had retired or had left employment voluntarily, and 18% had been dismissed. The risk of dismissal was associated with three factors: being older than 45 years, having two or more MSDs at claim, and working in the cleaning services sector.
