Compensation Claims Research Articles

Lived experiences of bias in compensation and reintegration associated with false admissions of guilt.

Some exonerees receive compensation and aid after being exonerated of their wrongful convictions, and some do not. Looking beyond differences in state statutes, we examined possible reasons for biases in receiving compensation (via statutes or civil claims) and other reintegration services. More specifically, we examined how two unique types of false admission of guilt (i.e., false confessions and false guilty pleas) could be associated with biased outcomes in compensation procurement and reintegration outcomes. Although we did not have formal hypotheses for this qualitative study, based on the cumulative disadvantage framework (Scherr, Redlich, & Kassin, 2020), we anticipated that both types of false admission of guilt would negatively bias exonerees' experience post-exoneration. More specifically, we expected that exonerees whose cases involved at least one type of false admission of guilt would have a more difficult time obtaining compensation and would experience more negative post-exoneration outcomes, compared with exonerees in general. We conducted in-depth interviews with three samples: (a) exonerees (n = 19), (b) attorneys who had assisted exonerees with post-exoneration compensation claims (n = 15), and (c) innocence advocates who had worked with exonerees (n = 9). Across all samples, interviewees indicated that both forms of false admission of guilt are associated with biases that may influence exonerees' compensation and reintegration efforts. Specifically, interviews revealed that (a) false admissions are associated with disadvantages to exonerees' compensation and reintegration efforts, as predicted by the cumulative disadvantage framework; (b) under specific circumstances, false admissions are associated with advantages benefiting compensation attempts; and (c) false admissions can be nonapplicable (i.e., irrelevant) to reintegration efforts. Together, our findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the role false confessions and false guilty pleas may play post-exoneration. This understanding, derived from those individuals directly involved in the compensation and reintegration processes, is an important step in beginning to right the injustices experienced by those wrongfully convicted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

General unemployment and serious workplace injury rates: Workers compensation claims analysis from the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, 2007-2018.

There is conflicting published evidence that unemployment impacts workplace safety. Some studies suggest that the workplace injury rate decreases during economic contractions, while others propose an increased rate of injuries during periods of economic contractions. This study investigated the association between unemployment rates and traumatic work-related non-fatal injury (WRNFI) in Saskatchewan, 2007-2018, in order to provide new insight into injury prevention. Saskatchewan's retrospective linked workplace claims data from 2007 to 2018 were grouped by year, season, and worker characteristics (e.g., age and sex). Total employment, total labour force, and the number of unemployed workers from the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey were grouped by year, season, sex, and age. These data were linked to the worker's compensation board injury claim data to determine the number of people at risk, serving as the denominator (offset term) for WRNFI rates, calculated as WRNFI cases per total employed workers. A negative binomial generalized additive model was used to examine the association between unemployment rates and WRNFI, adjusted for age, sex, industry types, and seasons. The WRNFI rate has declined since 2007. On average, workers aged 20-29years had the highest WRNFI rate (541.6 ± 84.8/100,000). Men had 3.2 times higher WRNFI risk than women (RR = 3.2, 95% CI 3.12-3.22), with the highest WRNFI risk observed in the manufacturing (RR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.63-1.73) and construction (RR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.63-1.72) industries. WRNFI risk decreased non-linearly with an increasing unemployment rate, indicating a pro-cyclic pattern. This analysis showed that WRNFI rates tracked unemployment rates. This suggests a need to increase prevention strategies and reduce disincentives for under-reporting during an economic downturn.

International commercial arbitration in Ukraine under martial law

It is indicated that International Commercial Arbitration is one of the most effective ways of resolving disputes between participants in international trade, ensuring speed, flexibility and neutrality of the process. However, the activity of arbitration in Ukraine faces a number of new challenges due to the introduction of martial law as a result of large-scale aggression. The hostilities led to significant disruptions to normal economic activity, including making it difficult to enforce contracts, access to justice, and enforce arbitral awards. This raises questions about the ability of arbitration to function effectively in such extraordinary circumstances. The topic is extremely relevant in today’s environment, where Ukraine faces large-scale military aggression that significantly affects all spheres of economic life, including international trade and legal relations between business entities. The article examines the legal and practical aspects of international commercial arbitration during martial law, particularly the impact of military operations on arbitration procedures, the possibility of enforcing arbitral awards, and the problems of their enforcement in a limited legal and economic environment. The main focus is on how arbitration institutions in Ukraine, in particular the International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are adapting to the new realities. The author also considers the issue of enforceability of arbitral awards in the light of military operations, sanctions, economic restrictions, and challenges for the Ukrainian legal system. The challenges related to the organization of the arbitration process, such as logistical difficulties, limited access to resources and documents, as well as the application of sanctions against the parties to the dispute, are explored. Special emphasis is placed on the possibilities of conducting arbitration hearings in a remote format and the use of modern technologies to ensure the continuity of the process under martial law. The article also examines the prospects for adapting arbitration to the new realities, including the possibility of filing claims for compensation for damages caused by military operations. The study analyses the prospects for the development of international arbitration in Ukraine, including the use of digital technologies, online hearings, and adaptation of the arbitration process to the challenges of wartime. Particular attention is paid to the opportunities for Ukrainian entrepreneurs to protect their rights through arbitration in international disputes, including the issue of compensation for damages caused by military actions.

Structural violence and policy outcomes of Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme in selected ministries, Lagos State

The decentralization of the NHIS’s implementation to states intended to hasten progress towards universal health coverage, has not effectively addressed healthcare disparities, particularly in Lagos State. The implementation of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme appears to perpetuate structural violence, evident in increased out-of-pocket expenses, discrimination based on insurance type, and substandard healthcare delivery. The study therefore examined how structural violence has affected the policy outcomes of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, with a specific emphasis on junior officers in grade level 01–07 in five selected ministries situated within Lagos State. Both primary and secondary data were collected using questionnaire, interview and literature search. Data gathered were analysed statistically and thematically. The findings of the study indicate that the policy outcome of the scheme has been adversely affected by structural violence, resulting in dissatisfaction, compensation claims for unresolved health issues and a shift in health insurance providers among enrolled junior officers.

The effect of age on musculoskeletal injury compensation costs in South Australian professional urban firefighters: A cohort study.

Firefighting is recognised as a physically demanding occupation involving exposure to hazardous environments and activities. An aging workforce combined with the age-related decline in physical fitness may result in increased future workers' compensation expenditure for fire service organisations. The objective of this research was to investigate the costs associated with musculoskeletal sprain and strain injury and the impacts of age and injury location on Workers' Compensation claims submitted by professional urban firefighters. Claim rates, direct costs, and days lost were extracted from a professional Fire Service organisation's workers' compensation claim database for financial years between 2011 to 2018. The mean cost per claim increased with age, with a mean claim cost of the 60-70-year-old group over 10 times more than the 20-29-year-old group. The mean days lost per claim were also higher for claims submitted by firefighters aged over 50. Older firefighters miss more workdays when injured and are associated with increased claims costs, particularly those in the 60-70-year group. With an aging workforce, Fire Service organisations must implement appropriate management and prevention strategies to reduce the potential risks associated with an aging workforce.

First responders’ occupational injury and disease associated with periods of extreme bushfires

There has been limited research on the health impacts of extreme bushfire exposure among emergency responders (ER) involved in suppressing extreme bushfires. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between extreme bushfires and ER’s compensated injury and illness in Victoria, Australia. State-wide ER compensation claims from January 2005 to April 2023 were analysed. Logistic regression modelling was used to identify factors associated with compensation claims during the extreme bushfire periods in 2009 and 2019/20, compared to all other claims, adjusting for seasonality (summer). Of the 44,164 included claims, 1105 (2.5%) had recorded injury/disease onset dates within extreme bushfire periods, and 11,642 (26.4%) occurred in summer months. Over half of claims were made by police (52.4%), followed by ambulance officers/paramedics (27.2%) and firefighters (20.5%). Extreme bushfire period claims were associated with older workers (odds ratio/OR = 1.58,95%CI = 1.30–1.92, ages ≥ 55 vs. 35–44 years). Mental disorders (OR = 1.61,95%CI = 1.25–2.07), intracranial injuries (OR = 3.04,95%CI = 1.69–5.48) and infections/parasites (OR = 3.11,95%CI = 1.61–5.98) vs. wounds were associated with extreme bushfire period claims. Given the expected increase in extreme bushfire events and the ageing workforce, study findings underscore the importance of primary and secondary prevention in ER. This can include periodic health surveillance for older workers, access to early treatment, and ongoing support for mental health conditions.

Selling Jewish Victims’ Experiences During the Holocaust for Hard Currency: The Case of the Romanian Communists Compensation Claims Collection from 1970

Abstract In the 1970s, the Romanian authorities put together a large collection of compensation claim files of Romanian citizens victims of Nazi persecution between 1939 and 1945. The Romanian Communists’ scope was for a hard-currency settlement with the Federal Republic of Germany. In doing so, the Romanians claimed that the Federal Republic of Germany would pay for persecutions for which the Romanian state had been responsible. The selective denial of the Holocaust was the Communist authorities’ approach to the topic after the end of the Second World War. Especially after 1948, they carefully avoided tackling the issue of country’s own involvement in the persecution of its citizens, externalizing the blame on Nazi Germany. Additionally, in the official narrative the focus was on anti-Fascist resistance and Communists’ martyrdom during the Holocaust and not on Jewish sufferings. By analyzing different claim files part of the larger Romanian collection to be found in the Arolsen Archives I argue that Romanians’ plan of getting Germany’s money–and indirectly recognition of Germany’s responsibility for the Romanian authorities’ wrongdoings during the Holocaust – would have solidified the externalization of blame at international level on the long run.

Compensation claims of car buyers against manufacturers: Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Compensation claims of car buyers against manufacturers: Mercedes-Benz Group AG

The impact of regulatory workplace safety inspections on workers' compensation claim rates.

Studies on the impact of workplace safety inspections on work injuries have found mixed effectiveness. Most studies are from the United States, examining Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulatory inspections in manufacturing firms with more than 10 employees. This study examines whether regulatory inspections in Alberta, Canada, result in reductions in workers' compensation claims rates for inspected firms relative to comparable non-inspected firms. Firm and claim-level data from the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta were linked with regulatory enforcement data from the Government of Alberta for construction, manufacturing, and transportation firms with at least one full-time employee for 37 consecutive months. A matched difference-in-differences study design was used to estimate changes in lost-time claim rates for work-related injuries and musculoskeletal diseases of inspected and comparable non-inspected firms between the year pre-inspection and 2 years, post-inspection, controlling for firm-level characteristics. Inspections were not effective in reducing firm-level claim rates, with the exception of transportation firms with more than one inspection experiencing a 28% decrease in their claim rate in the second year post-inspection, relative to the change in non-inspected firms. In construction, inspected firms experienced a 12% increase in their claim rate in the first year post-inspection. No effect was observed in the manufacturing sector. Regulatory workplace safety inspections in Alberta generally do not result in greater reductions in firm-level claim rates in the construction, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. Inspections alone may not be sufficient to induce compliance or hazard management changes that lead to reductions in firm-level injuries.

Between moral and commercial debt: Israel, Holocaust compensation, and the Conference on German External Debt, 1951–52

ABSTRACT In early March 1951, the Chancellor of West Germany, Konrad Adenauer, announced to the three Western powers occupying his country – the United States, Great Britain, and France – that his government was ready to acquiesce to their demands and settle the external debts Germany had accumulated before and after World War II. This announcement was made at roughly the same time that Israel presented its claim for reparations, which was added onto two other kinds of compensation claims the Jewish world had been already promoting in the aftermath of the Holocaust: claims for restitution of property and personal indemnification. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IMFA) was gravely worried about the possibility that West Germany would not be able to settle its moral debt to the Jewish people and the Jewish state due to the need to repay its commercial debts in the international arena. The present article examines the policy implemented by Israel with the aim of avoiding such a scenario.

Spatio-temporal human snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conflicts and mitigation measures in Baltistan - free-livestock grazing pastoral areas

Apex predators are essential for maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling biotic communities. The spatio-temporal grazing of livestock in pastoral areas can pose threats to endangered carnivores and their prey resulting in resource competition, conflicts and increased disease transmission. Our research aimed to assess the spatio-temporal distribution of snow leopards and livestock determine factors causing snow leopard-livestock conflicts identify seasonal conflict zones through public claims and interviews and evaluate conservation benefits and challenges. In this study, camera traps were used in 20 villages of Baltistan from November to April resulting in 720 snow leopard sightings and 8277 livestock events. Snow leopards preyed on 195 livestock in the 2022–2023 period resulting in an estimated loss of $225,004.51 USD including sheeps, goats, cows and yaks.We utilized the Generalized Linear Regression Model to examine snow leopard attacks finding that the timing of attacks was not significant. Proximity to predator-proofed corrals, traditional corrals, bite marks and distance to the nearest village or shepherd huts were positively correlated with attacks, while small stock body size was not significant. Through 110 public interviews we discovered that awareness campaigns and avoidance strategies successfully mitigated human-snow leopard conflicts. In conclusion, our results found that livestock attacks occur in pastures during both day and night with the size and sex of the livestock affecting the likelihood of attacks. Snow leopard attacks were linked to increased grazing and poorly constructed corrals. Snow leopards targeted vulnerable areas of their prey including the neck, mouth, ears and anal region. Compensation claims and field visits were used to identify conflict areas and public perception. In the future research should prioritize the use of camera traps to study prey and snow leopard density, grazing effects, food habits using genetic tools and sex determination.

Acara Penggabungan Perkara Gugatan Ganti Rugi dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 31 Tahun 1997 Tentang Peradilan Militer

Abstract. Viewed from the perspective of law enforcement, with the rarity of filing a claim for compensation or a request to merge a claim for compensation, it requires careful research because after all the core of law enforcement is upholding rights and carrying out obligations. The purpose of this study is to show that the use of the right to claim compensation or a request for compensation is very rare. Qualitative research uses a descriptive approach to collect data systematically, factually, and quickly according to the description when the research was conducted. The results of this study indicate that the method of claiming compensation can be done by merging a claim for compensation in a criminal case, through unlawful acts and through a request for restitution.

B - 134 Validation of the Pcl-5 Rare Items Scale Embedded Symptom Validity Index in a Cross-Cultural Forensic Sample

Abstract Objective Recently, three embedded symptom validity indices were developed for the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (PCL-5). The PCL-5 Rare Item (PRI) scale is one of those indices, which is calculated by summing examinee responses to infrequently endorsed item ratings. Preliminary findings indicate the PRI is effective in a research sample but potentially less effective in a clinical sample. The aim of the current study was to cross-validate the PRI in a cross-cultural forensic sample. Method Examinees were Macedonian and Kosovar contractors (N = 79). Contractors were previously employed at military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. The examinees underwent defense psychological examinations related to pursuing federal workers compensation claims for PTSD. Examinations were conducted between 2018 and 2023 with appropriately translated instruments and assistance from certified interpreters. Two sets of analyses were performed for this study. First, examinees were categorized as responding validly or invalidly based on their Trauma Symptom Inventory-II Atypical Response Scale (ATR) scores. In a second set of analyses, validity status was based on a more conservative criterion of failing 2+ validity tests. Results Receiver operating characteristic analyses were employed. Area under the curve findings were acceptable (0.74) in both sets of analyses. When invalidity was based on the ATR, a PRI cutoff of 3 resulted in 95% specificity and 35% sensitivity. Similarly, when invalidity was determined by failure of 2+ validity tests, a PRI cutoff of 3 resulted in 95% specificity and 36% sensitivity. Conclusion Results of the current study support the utility of the PRI in a cross-cultural forensic sample.

B - 132 Validation of the PCL-5 Symptom Severity Scale Embedded Symptom Validity Index in a Cross-Cultural Forensic Sample

Abstract Objective Three embedded symptom validity indices were recently created for the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). The first, the PCL-5 Symptom Severity Scale (PSS), is derived from the PCL-5 total score, and preliminary findings have indicated its effectiveness in research and clinical samples. Our aim was to cross-validate this validity index in a cross-cultural forensic sample. Method Examinees were Macedonian and Kosovar contractors (N = 79) previously employed at military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. Examinees underwent defense psychological examinations between 2018 and 2023 related to pursuit of federal workers compensation claims for PTSD. Testing was performed with translated instruments and administered with assistance from certified interpreters. Two sets of analyses were conducted in this study. In the first, examinees were categorized as valid or invalid responders based on their Trauma Symptom Inventory-II Atypical Response Scale (ATR) scores. In the second, validity status was categorized based on a more conservative criterion of failing 2+ validity tests. Results Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to determine optimal cutoff scores and classification accuracy statistics for the PSS. The area under the curve was acceptable (0.77) in both analyses. When categorizing invalidity with the ATR, a PSS cutoff of 64 resulted in 95% specificity and 33% sensitivity. When categorizing invalidity by failure of 2+ validity tests, the PSS cutoff could be adjusted to 62 resulting in 90% specificity and 46% sensitivity. Conclusion Results of the current study are in line with those from previous research. These findings extend the utility of the PSS to a cross-cultural forensic sample.

Clinician Experiences of and Responses to the Challenges of Working with Patients in the Australian Compensation Setting.

Previous research indicates that the compensation process is stressful for people with a compensable injury, contributing to poorer recovery. However, little is known about the challenges faced by clinicians who work in this setting. This study aims to qualitatively explore the experiences of clinicians delivering care to patients with compensable injuries in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 experienced clinicians providing care to compensable patients in Australia. The interviews were transcribed, and data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis. Participants described their work as challenging due to factors such as high patient distress, poor clinical outcomes, and high administrative load. However, they responded to these challenges in varying ways. While some reported feelings of vicarious injustice, emotional exhaustion, and self-doubt, others derived a sense of meaning, purpose, and mastery from these challenges. Clinician responses to the challenge of working with people with a compensation claim were associated with access to mentoring, continuous education and training, and a supportive workplace culture. Clinicians reported both positive and negative responses to the challenges of working with people with a compensable injury. Coping strategies that were associated with more positive reactions included seeking further education, mentoring, peer support. Prioritising these support systems is important for clinician wellbeing and patient outcomes.

Air Passenger Rights Case Law Developments from 1 December 2023 to 15 June 2024

From 1 December 2023 to 15 June 2024, there have been several case developments in relation to air passenger rights. The first part of this article highlights recent decisions from the Court of Justice of the European Union that have shed light on the interpretation of EU Regulation No 261/2004, Package Travel Directive (EU) 2015/2302 and Council Directive 93/13/EEC of 5 April 1993 on Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts.In the case Laudamotion GmbH v. flightright GmbH the Court stressed the standardized nature of compensation for a flight delay and held that for compensation claims under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 due to a significant flight delay, passengers must adhere to the check-in requirements specified by the airline, even if they have already completed online check-in.In the case Eventmedia Soluciones SL v. Air Europa Líneas Aéreas SAU, the Court defined the rules governing the inclusion, in a contract of carriage, of a clause prohibiting the transfer of rights by passengers and the right of claim management companies to bring proceedings against airlines. In the case Cobult UG v. TAP Air Portugal SA (TAP), the Court clarified the rules applicable to passengers’ consent to the reimbursement of the cost of their ticket by a travel voucher rather than by a sum of money. In the case Touristic Aviation Services Limited (TAS) v. Flightright GmbH, the Court ruled that the shortage of staff at the airport responsible for baggage handling could be considered an extraordinary circumstance, provided the airline could demonstrate that they had taken all reasonable measures to prevent the delay.In the case QM v. Kiwi Tours GmbH, the Court held that to establish the existence of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances significantly impacting the performance of a travel package, for the purpose of claiming a refund under Directive (EU) 2015/2302, only the situation prevailing on the date when the traveler terminated their travel contract should be considered. In the case Eventmedia Soluciones SL v. Air Europa Líneas Aéreas, the Court ruled on the fairness of clauses governing the assignment of rights by passengers to third parties under Directive 93/13/EEC on Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts.

범죄피해자 권리의 헌법적 보장의 의의 - 범죄피해자구조청구권을 중심으로

The state's compensation for crime victims is a financial support provided to victims or their families in cases where the victims have died, sustained disabilities, or suffered severe injuries due to criminal acts, and have not been fully or partially compensated for their damages. This support is given based on the constitutional rights of crime victims. Considering the purpose of this system, the court's consideration of the offender's repayment of the compensation as a mitigating factor in sentencing is an incomprehensible judgment. This paper addresses the importance of protecting the rights of crime victims and their constitutional guarantees. It focuses on the introduction and significance of the crime victim compensation claim. By examining various case laws, the paper reviews the current state and issues of the crime victim protection system and discusses the obligations and roles of the state in ensuring the fundamental rights of crime victims. The necessity of legal and institutional remedies is emphasized to establish the crime victim compensation claim as a constitutional right for the protection of crime victims' human rights. The paper aims to explore measures to ensure that the rights of crime victims are substantively protected.

О компенсации морального вреда, причиненного решениями, действиями (бездействием) субъекта публичной власти

The article examines the issues surrounding the combination and joint consideration in administrative court proceedings of both administrative claims challenging the legality of public authority acts and civil claims for compensation of moral damage. The aim of this article is to identify and analyze the problems of legal regulation of compensation for moral damage in administrative proceedings. To achieve this aim and solve the tasks, general and special scientific methods such as analysis, synthesis, historical, systemic-structural, formal-legal, and comparative methods were used. As a result, the author came to the conclusion that it is advisable to normatively consolidate the possibility of combining a public-law administrative claim and a private-law claim for compensation of moral damage in administrative proceedings. Such an intersectoral transformation of public and private law will significantly enhance the level of judicial protection for citizens who have suffered moral harm due to a public-law violation, especially considering that a person in a dispute with the authorities is always the weaker party. The results of the study can be used as proposals for legislative changes and for shaping judicial practice regarding compensation for moral damage in administrative proceedings. The novelty of the study lies in the substantiation of scientific recommendations on the need to combine and jointly consider in administrative proceedings not only an administrative claim to declare an act of public authority illegal, but also a civil claim for compensation for moral damage.

An Approach to Reduce the Incidence of Submarine Medical Evacuations by Identifying Individual Risk Characteristics: Preliminary Findings.

Military medical evacuations (MEDEVACs) are resource intensive and can disrupt operations and decrease readiness. Medical evacuations are a concern for the submarine force because of the limited medical resources onboard, the impact of manpower loss on smaller crews, and the compromise of operational stealth. Although some medical emergencies cannot be avoided, some MEDEVACs may be preventable. However, there is limited knowledge of the underlying causes and risk factors associated with submarine MEDEVACs. This work describes an approach to identify individual characteristics associated with submarine MEDEVACs by presenting preliminary results and next steps. Identifying those most at risk for a MEDEVAC will foster prevention strategies that lead to fewer MEDEVACs, military operation disruptions, missed work and limited duty days, unplanned losses, early separations, and disability compensation claims among navy submariners. This retrospective study examines MEDEVACs from U.S. Navy submarines from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2020. Medical evacuation causes were classified by 3 major diagnostic categories: Injury, psychiatric, and medical (i.e., all other non-injury medical events, including dental issues). Diagnostic subcategories were grouped by body region (for injuries) and body system (for non-injuries). Identifiable information from MEDEVAC records were linked to personnel files to capture demographic and occupational variables. Trends across the years were examined, and frequencies and percentages of MEDEVAC cases by both major and sub-diagnostic categories were presented. For cases where both the major diagnostic categories and characteristics were both available, we assessed associations between major diagnostic categories and demographic and occupational characteristics, using Pearson's χ2 test for proportions and Fisher Freeman-Halton exact tests. Pairwise z-tests for proportions were used to determine which proportions differed significantly. A total of 1,283 MEDEVACs were confirmed from 2012 to 2020, with an annual average of 143. Across the years, 24.3% were caused by psychiatric issues (e.g., suicidal ideation), 18.4% were caused by injuries (e.g., blunt trauma), and the remaining 57.3% were caused by other medical emergencies (e.g., gastrointestinal issues). Among the cases linked to personnel files, the major diagnostic category was associated with age, rank, department, and submarine qualification status (group size varied). By age (n = 973), large differences in MEDEVAC causes were seen among submariners 21 to 25 years old who represented 52.4% of psychiatric versus 37.5% of medical MEDEVACs. In contrast, those 35 and older represented 17.0% medical versus 2.7% psychiatric MEDEVACs. Medical, non-injury cases were the most common cause for a MEDEVAC. There were proportionately more psychiatric than medical cases among younger, less experienced submariners. Conversely, there were proportionately more medical than psychiatric cases among older submariners. A centralized approach to collecting MEDEVAC data is needed. This is the most comprehensive study examining risk factors associated with submarine MEDEVACs. Follow-on work will include adding prior medical waiver requests, health indicators, and confirmed diagnoses to the dataset to conduct a risk analysis. Considering submarines have smaller crews than most surface ships, limited medical assets, and often operate in austere environments, examination of submarine MEDEVACs should be distinct from other navy and military MEDEVACs.

Incidence, trends and factors associated with psychological injury among health and social care workers in New South Wales, Australia: a retrospective cohort study of workers' compensation claims.

To describe and compare the incidence and trends of workers' compensation (WC) claims for psychological injury: (1) between health and social care (HSC) industry and other industries; (2) among specific occupations in the HSC industry; and (3) to determine if psychological injury claim rates differ by age and gender in the HSC industry and among specific occupations. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the New South Wales WC system. Workers with accepted psychological injury claims between July 2012 and June 2021 were included. Negative binomial regression models were employed to estimate incidence rate ratios and 95% CIs. The HSC industry had a higher incidence (2.4 per 1000 workers) than all other industries combined (1.1 per 1000 workers). In the HSC industry, the incidence increased from 1.8 in 2013-2015 to 3.4 in 2019-2021. Ambulance officers had the highest incidence (24.9 per 1000 workers) and the highest growth rate. Nurses and midwives, and aged and disability care workers also had fast-growing incidence over the 9 years. Risk of psychological injury claims was highest among female workers and older adults. The increasing incidence and trend of psychological injury claims among HSC workers in New South Wales signify a growing public health issue. Greater efforts are needed to prevent work-related psychological injury in the HSC industry and support affected workers. The different patterns of psychological injury claims across occupations suggest that interventions should be tailored to each occupational group.