Report examines New Hampshire workers’ comp coverage

Concord, NH – Only about half of New Hampshire workers who were injured in 2008 had their costs covered by workers’ compensation, indicates a report from the state Department of Health and Human Services.

The report (.pdf file), dated June 11, 2011, was released Sept. 4. It is based on responses to the 2008 NH Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, which for the first time included questions about injury and treatment.

Approximately 5 percent of the 6,892 workers surveyed reported being injured on the job in the previous 12 months. Of those, 54 percent reported receiving coverage for all or part of their treatment even though a majority of the workers likely were eligible for workers’ comp, the report stated. For those who did not receive coverage, the cost fell on private and public insurers and individual families.

Researchers noted limitations to the study – it was based on self-reporting of injuries, it did not include work-related illnesses, and it had a small number of respondents reporting on payment for treatment.