What is the impact of opioids in the workplace on on-the-job injuries?
The opioid epidemic has gained such a grip on the United States and Massachusetts residents and the impact can be felt everywhere, including the workplace. Common opioids used to treat work injuries include:
- Oxycontin
- Vicodin
- Percocet
- Demerol
- Norco
- Lorcet
According to the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), opioid prescriptions are most likely to given to injured workers who are older, work for companies with smaller payrolls, and in counties where more people have health insurance.
How opioid prescriptions impact workers
The study, dubbed Correlates of Opioid Dispensing, tapped into data on 1.4 million pain medication prescriptions filled within an 18-month period after an injury between October 2014 – September 2015.
The study found:
- Workers age 55 and older received opioid prescriptions in 49 percent of injury cases, and two or more prescriptions in 24 percent of injury cases.
- Workers ages 25-39 received opioid prescriptions in 42 percent of injury cases, and two or more prescriptions in 19 percent of injury cases.
- Mining workers were the most likely to receive opioid prescriptions, accounting for 62 percent of the overall workforce. Construction workers were the second most likely, at 55 percent.
- In areas with fewer than 20,000 residents, injured workers were prescribed opioids 68 percent of the time. In areas with more than 250,000, injured workers were prescribed opioids 54 percent of the time.
- Among workers who sustained fractures, 79 percent received opioid prescriptions. For carpal tunnel and neurological spine pain, injured workers received opioids 70 percent and 66 percent of the time, respectively.
The long-term risks
According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, injured workers who receive one week’s supply of opioids, or at least two opioid prescriptions, are twice as likely to sustain another injury within one year in contrast to those who don’t receive opioids.
This, in part, is due to the lingering effects of opioid painkillers. Upon returning to work after roughly three months of using opioid prescriptions, workers may experience dependency and tolerance to the drug.
At Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl, we are deeply concerned with how opioids impact workers. In the event of a workplace injury, we’ll gladly work with you to help you through the process of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits.
To learn more, contact us today to set up a free consultation.