The shoulder injury is now America’s #1 injury in terms of frequency and cost per claim. That comment, by the director of Workers’ Compensation, Corporate Insurance & Risk Management for American Airlines, comes despite the fact that many of these injuries are easily preventable. It should serve as a wakeup call for employers to do everything they can to prevent and lessen the impact of these injuries.

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Lumbar fusion surgery should not be the first line treatment for a majority of Ohio’s injured workers with back pain, according to a new rule. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation implemented the guideline Jan.1, to curb unnecessary back surgeries and reduce the risk of opioid abuse. It is said to be the most restrictive rule of its kind in the workers’ compensation system.

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As physical therapists, we are able to provide relief for most causes of soft tissue aches and pains among workers. But the one source of pain over which we have little control is that associated with the flu.

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There’s a new health problem impacting workers of all ages. It’s call ‘Sitting Disease.’ It’s actually just a catchy term referring to the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. But it perfectly describes the cause of many aches and pains — and workers’ compensation claims.

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A new outcomes registry may lead to improved care for injured workers. At least, it’s a step in the right direction.

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A major hospitality chain reduced their workers’ comp physical therapy costs by a whopping 30%. Don’t you wish you could say that about your company’s experience? Before the change, physical therapy was one of the company’s largest spends, in every region. Now, the hotel giant says mobile physical therapy services have transformed their approach – and their results.

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OSHA’s new Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses rule was set to go into effect August 10. But that has been delayed until January 1, 2017. OSHA officials say they put off enforcement because they need more time to work with employers. They want to offer more information and guidance about the rule, which revised the OSHA regulation on Recording.

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Despite some promising reports in the battle against opioid abuse and misuse among injured workers, the problem is far from over.  Recent research from the California Workers Compensation Institute, the Workers Compensation Research Institute, and drug trend reports from several pharmacy benefit managers indicate the number of opioid prescriptions written for injured workers is declining — at least, in some areas. However, opioids continue to ruin lives and cause hardships to businesses.

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