Report into how obesity increases risk of disabling workplace injuries

A research brief by the US National Council on Compensation Insurance has examined ‘How Obesity Increases The Risk Of Disabling Workplace Injuries’. The authors pointed to the increase in obesity in the US and said, ‘Intuitively, the implications of this trend for workers compensation are disturbing. Recent research confirms anecdotal data – work-related injuries are far more costly if the injured worker is obese. The dramatically higher medical costs suggest the types and nature of injuries sustained by obese workers, especially the morbidly obese, are more likely to result in permanent disabilities.’