The social consequences of occupational injuries and illnesses

Background Most outcome studies of occupational injuries and illnesses have tended to focus on direct economic costs and duration of work disability. Rarely have the broader social consequences of work-related disorders or th eir impacts on injured workers' families, coworkers, and community been inv estigated. This paper examines a wide range of social consequences includin g workers' psychological and behavioral responses, vocational function, and family and community, relationships. Methods Literature review and development of conceptual framework. Results Complex and multifactorial relationships are described whereby occu pational injuries and illnesses produce a variety, of social consequences i nvolving filing and administration of workers' compensation insurance claim s, medical care experiences, domestic function and activities of daily livi ng, psychological and behavioral responses, stress, vocational function, re habilitation and return to work, and equity and social justice. Conclusion A research agenda is proposed for guiding future investigations in this field. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.