Canada s Institute for Work and Health has released preliminary findings from its study on the experiences of injured or ill workers after they are no longer receiving workers' compensation services or benefits. The ongoing Ontario Life After Work Injury Study is based on interviews with 1,100 injured workers in Ontario, Canada. Workers were first interviewed 18 months after their work-related injury and again, if they agreed, 36 months after the injury. Researchers sought to learn about the post-claim experiences of workers, with a particular focus on the experiences of those who received benefits or services for more than a year after a disabling injury. The study found that most employees (85% to 93%) returned to work with the employer they were working for when the injury occurred; however, 18 months after the injury, the share of those not working was much higher among the group with long-duration claims. Researchers also discovered that workers in the long-duration group reported poor or fair health in greater proportions (32% vs. 16% in the short-duration group), had greater sleep issues (49% had trouble sleeping most or all of the time, compared to 33% in the short-duration group), and experienced more pain that interfered with daily activities (46% compared to 18% in the short-duration group). Following an injury, the diagnosis of mood disorders, migraines, back problems and arthritis increased in comparison to the general population.
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