Abstract
BackgroundResearch suggests that exposure to the compensation system (including time to case closure) could adversely influence a persons’ recovery following injury. However, the long-term predictors of time to claim closure following minor road traffic injuries remain unclear. We aimed to assess a wide spectrum of factors that could influence time to claim closure (socio-demographic, compensation-related, health, psychosocial and pre-injury factors) over 24 months following a non-catastrophic injury.MethodsProspective cohort study of 364 participants involved in a compensation scheme following a motor vehicle crash. We used a telephone-administered questionnaire to obtain information on potential explanatory variables. Information on time to claim closure was obtained from an insurance regulatory authority maintained database, and was classified as the duration between the crash date and claim settlement date, and categorized into < 12 (early), > 12–24 (medium) and > 24 months (late).ResultsJust over half of claimants (54 %) had settled their claim by 12 months, while 17 % and 30 % took > 12–24 months and > 24 months for claim closure, respectively. Whiplash at baseline was associated with claim closure time of > 12–24 months versus < 12 months: multivariable-adjusted OR 2.38 (95 % CI 1.06–5.39). Claimants who were overweight/obese versus normal/underweight at the time of injury were ~3.0-fold more likely to settle their claim at > 12–24 months than < 12 months. Consulting a lawyer was associated with a 10.4- and 21.0-fold increased likelihood of settling a claim at > 12–24 months and > 24 months, respectively. Each 1-unit increase in Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire scores at baseline was associated with greater odds of both medium (> 12–24 months) and delayed claim settlement date (> 24 months): multivariable-adjusted OR 1.04 (95 % CU 1.01–1.07) and 1.02 (95 % CI 1.00–1.05), respectively.ConclusionsAround a third of claimants with a minor injury had not settled by 24 months. Health-related factors and lawyer involvement independently influenced time to claim closure.
Highlights
Research suggests that exposure to the compensation system could adversely influence a persons’ recovery following injury
We aimed to explore the prospective association between socio-demographic, compensation, psychological, pre-injury, health- and injury-related characteristics that were independently associated with time to claim closure among claimants who sustained non-catastrophic injuries in a motor vehicle crash
Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (OMPSQ) and Pain-Related Self-Statements Scale-Catastrophizing (PRSS)-catastrophizing scores were positively associated with claim closure times, while Short Form-12 (SF-12) physical component summary (PCS) and EQ visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were all inversely associated with the likelihood of medium or late claim closure versus early claim settlement (Table 2)
Summary
Research suggests that exposure to the compensation system (including time to case closure) could adversely influence a persons’ recovery following injury. The long-term predictors of time to claim closure following minor road traffic injuries remain unclear. We aimed to assess a wide spectrum of factors that could influence time to claim closure (socio-demographic, compensation-related, health, psychosocial and pre-injury factors) over 24 months following a non-catastrophic injury. There is increasing evidence to show that claiming compensation and prolonged exposure to the compensation system are prognostic indicators of poorer recovery and negative health outcomes among those who have sustained an injury in a motor vehicle crash [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. The direction of the relationship between claiming compensation and negative outcomes remains unclear [14], that is, does exposure (and length of exposure) to the compensation system cause poor health or does a poor health profile (or other factors) lead to prolonged exposure to the compensation system [12]?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
