Job Market Paper
Understanding changes over time in the receipt of workers’ compensation benefits
Abstract: Workers’ compensation, the oldest social insurance program in the United States, continues to serve as one of the largest sources of economic security for the vast majority of the workforce. The program supports workers at a particularly vulnerable time: immediately after suffering an occupational injury or illness. Yet, despite this vital role, rates of benefit receipt have decreased substantially in the recent past, raising concerns about restricted access for injured workers. To understand this trend, I systematically investigate through decomposition analyses the reasons for the 43.6 percent decrease in the recipiency rate of cash benefits over the period from 2003 through 2018. I find that most of this decrease—29.5 percentage points—is explained by reductions in within-sector rates of occupational injuries and illnesses. My results suggest that the decrease in receipt is not due to restricted access, but rather a consequence of improvements to workplace safety.
Working Papers
Spillovers from workers’ compensation to Social Security Disability Insurance: evidence from Oregon
Understanding changes over time in awards for workers’ compensation benefits: evidence from Oregon