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There are concerns that Hispanic workers disproportionately under report workplace injuries, perhaps out of fear of reprisal from employers. This type of underreporting would place an especially high burden on Hispanic workers who are employed in riskier industries and occupations and who have among the lowest rates of health insurance. Using National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data, the researcher finds that Hispanic workers are 33% less likely to disclose nonfatal workplace injuries to the survey enumerator, and the biggest reporting discrepancy is for minor injuries (i.e., injuries of shorter duration). Using National Longitudinal Survey of Youth – 1979 (NLSY79) data, the researcher explores possible reasons for the pattern of underreporting and finds that in some cases Hispanic workers are slightly more likely to lose their job following receipt of WC benefits than non-Hispanic workers. An additional consequence of underreporting workplace injuries is the cost of medical care not covered by WC. The researcher calculates that these medical costs for uncompensated workplace injuries incurred by Hispanic workers total over $1 million each year.

Citation

McInerney, M. (2015). Tufts University. Examining Differences by Ethnicity in the Propensity to File for Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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This study was part of the Department of Labor Scholars Program, and was produced outside of CEO’s standard research development process.