Citation

Graves JM, Sears JM, Vavilala MS, Rivara FP. J. Saf. Res. 2013; 45: 133-139.

Affiliation

Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC), Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, UW Box 359960, Seattle, WA 98104 USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2012.11.001

PMID

23710080

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study describes injury characteristics and costs of work-related traumatic brain injury (WRTBI) among 16-24 year olds in Washington State between 1998 and 2008. METHODS: WRTBIs were identified in the Washington Trauma Registry (WTR) and linked to workers' compensation (WC) claims data. Medical and time-loss compensation costs were compared between workers with isolated TBI and TBI with other trauma. RESULTS: Of 273 WRTBI cases identified, most (61.5%) were TBI with other trauma. One-third of WRTBI did not link to a WC claim. Medical costs averaged $88,307 (median $16,426) for isolated TBI cases, compared to $73,669 (median $41,167) for TBI with other trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the financial impact of WRTBI among young workers. Multiple data sources provided a more comprehensive picture than a single data source alone. This linked-data approach holds great potential for future traumatic occupational injury research.

Language: en