In states like Connecticut, the scope of the workforce is changing. Older Americans are choosing to work as they age, and Latinos represent a higher percentage of the labor pool than ever before. Unconventional workers like these present a unique challenge for workers’ compensation regulations.
A career outlook report produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the older population will grow quicker than any other labor pool through 2024. This is most likely due to a reduction in birth rates among younger generations. The BLS report also concluded that Hispanics will make up 19 percent of the workforce by 2020.
This landscape of an evolving workforce brings new risks and costs to employers. More money will need to be spent to train inexperienced workers, and expectations are that first-year accidents will be on the rise. Older workers are more likely to have injuries, and, according to one expert, most Americans are not as healthy as they used to be. An employee with one chronic health condition such as obesity or diabetes can double a workers’ compensation claim rate for an employer. Younger workers, while having accidents less frequently, can place a unique burden on workers’ compensation claims due to the length of time they typically collect payments.
For those who have been injured at work, navigating through the complex claims process can be intimidating and frustrating. Having access to a workers’ compensation attorney can help to lessen the stress of filing a claim. A lawyer can aim for a payout that will truly help the injured worker and their family.
