The Impact of Benefit Generosity on Workers’ Compensation Claims: Evidence and Implications
利用行政数据和双重差分法，研究发现工伤赔偿福利增加导致收入补偿期延长和医疗支出上升，两者共同使项目成本增加至机械增长的1.4倍，且福利边际增加不会改善福利。
Leveraging unique administrative data and a sharp increase in benefit generosity in a difference-in-differences research design, we estimate the impact of workers’ compensation wage replacement benefits on individual behavior and program costs. We find that increased benefit generosity leads to longer income benefit durations and increased medical spending. Responses along these two margins are equally important drivers of increased program costs, collectively increasing program costs 1.4 times the mechanical increase in costs. Using these estimates and an estimate of the consumption drop among injured workers, our welfare calibrations suggest that a marginal increase in benefit generosity would not improve welfare.