Most research about work injury after an auto accident is aimed at the long-term effects after serious injuries. Less is known about whether mild auto injuries lead to missed work days or disability. A recent study has shown that even mild injuries from an auto collision can harm your ability to do your job.
Researchers compared the work disability of patients who were hospitalized after a crash to those who were injured mildly in a crash but did not require hospitalization.
The study included auto injury victims in Australia who had taken time off work for musculoskeletal or orthopedic injuries. Of these patients, researchers found that 57% were seriously injured and required hospitalization, and 15% of that group suffered injuries so severe that they required more than a week in the hospital.
But it wasn't just these victims who missed work from their injuries. Even long-term disability was common from mild injuries. Overall, 32% of the auto injuries resulted in work disability more than six months after the crash. People whose injuries did not require hospitalization were among this group with long-term effects, accounting for 27% of all work disability days.
It was discovered that the risk of missing work six months after an auto injury was greater among women, those under age 35, and those who had an early prescription for painkillers. This study confirmed that many patients with only mild injuries from a car accident can still be impacted negatively in the long-term.
If you have been an auto collision, no matter the severity of your injuries, chiropractic treatment can help you avoid work disability and other long-term effects on your quality of life. Oregon Medical Centers can relieve your pain and discomfort now, and keep you moving and working into the future. We specialize in treating auto injuries both mild and serious. To learn more, call our Aloha/Beaverton office today.
Reference
Berecki-Gisolf J, Collie A, McClure R. Work disability after road traffic injury in a mixed population with and without hospitalisation. Accident Analysis & Prevention 2013; 51 (129-134).
Dr. Bhasin grew up in Southern California and did her undergraduate work in pre-med at California State University Northridge, as well as Humboldt State University in California. Dr. Bhasin attended the University of Western States in Portland Oregon where she earned her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. Dr. Bhasin has passed her National boards and her State Boards. Dr. Bhasin loves helping people and finds great joy helping injured people get out of pain and get their life back again. She has helped thousands of patients.
