Rozprawy doktorskie na temat „Workers' compensation model”

Mestrado em Ciências Actuariais
O ramo Acidentes de Trabalho é um dos ramos não Vida mais interessantes de estudar em Portugal devido essencialmente à gestão das pensões que ao contrário do que é comum na maioria dos países transita para a responsabilidade da área Vida. O programa Solvência II introduz novas exigências às empresas seguradoras a fim de conferir maior proteção aos consumidores. As empresas seguradoras podem optar por desenvolver modelos internos ou adotar o modelo padrão definido pelos reguladores europeus. O nosso objetivo neste trabalho foi construir um modelo interno para o ramo Acidentes de Trabalho no qual abrangemos todas as especificidades deste ramo. Numa parte, o modelo é baseado no modelo de Merz e Wuthrich (M & W) desenvolvido especificamente para o Solvência II. O modelo M & W tem como objetivo medir possíveis flutuações ao nível das reservas entre duas previsões sucessivas realizadas. Noutra parte, o modelo é baseado no estudo de longevidade sendo este um dos riscos mais importantes discutidos hoje em dia e com elevado impacto sobre a gestão das pensões e no provisionamento realizado ao nível dos encargos de assistência vitalícia. Um modelo interno global necessita de modelar eficientemente a consequência de acidentes ocorridos e projetar a consequência de acidentes ainda não ocorridos. As seguradoras devem precaver o risco dos prémios cobrados se tornarem insuficientes para cobrir todas as obrigações assumidas. Recorremos ao uso extensivo de simulação para estimar alguns cenários extremos.
Workers Compensation is one of the most interesting Property and Casualty branches to study in Portugal. Largely influenced by Annuities management that unlike what is common in most countries is classified as Life and Savings risk. Solvency II introduces new requirements that should be fulfilled by companies in order to protect consumers. Companies can opt to develop internal models or to adopt the standard model defined by European regulators. Our goal is to build an internal model for Workers Compensation. The model must cover all specificities of this branch. In one part, the model is based on the Merz and Wüthrich (M&W) model developed for Solvency II purposes. The M&W model aims to measure possible reserves fluctuations between two successive predictions for the total ultimate claim. In the second part, the model is based on longevity study. Longevity is one of the most important risks discussed nowadays and this has large impact on annuities management and lifetime assistance. A global internal model needs not only to model the consequence of occurred accidents but also to project the ones which have not occurred yet. Companies must prevent the risk of premiums being insufficient to cover all assumed liabilities. Extensive use of simulation is made to estimate some extreme scenarios.

Mestrado em Actuarial Science
Este trabalho apresenta uma análise de como o novo regime contabilístico IFRS17 irá afectar o cálculo das Provisões Técnicas e do desempenho para a linha de seguros de compensação dos trabalhadores, com particular incidência nas questões de implementação prática. Serão também fornecidas comparações com o SII. Uma característica chave que distingue este LoB em Solvência II é que as responsabilidades são divididas entre técnicas similares vida (SLT) e técnicas similares não vida (NSLT), dependendo da natureza do sinistro específico. Isto significa que estas duas técnicas terão de ser analisadas com as metodologias apropriadas que separam a Vida do Mundo Não Vida. este documento, o foco principal é dado às técnicas SLT, e, neste contexto, serão analisados os novos conceitos requeridos pela IFRS17. Para concluir, estas noções não serão deixadas apenas a um nível teórico, mas serão acompanhadas por um trabalho prático que mostra os desafios da implementação dos conceitos da IFRS 17 num modelo específico de Solvência II e as soluções que foram implementadas para alcançar um justo equilíbrio entre os conceitos teóricos e a sua implementação efectiva.
This work presents an analysis of how the new accounting regime IFRS17 will affect the calculation of Technical Provisions and performance for the Workers' Compensation Insurance line of business with a particular focus on the practical implementation issues. Comparisons with SII will be also provided. A key feature that distinguishes this particular LoB in Solvency II is that liabilities are split between similar life techniques (SLT) and non-similar life techniques (NSLT) depending of the nature of the specific claim. This means that these two techniques will have to be analysed with the appropriate methodologies that separates the Life from the Non-life world. In this paper the main focus is given to SLT techniques, and, in this contest, the new IFRS17 required concepts will be analysed. To conclude, this notions will not be left only on a theoretical level but will be joined by a practical work that shows the challenges of implementing IFRS 17 concepts in one specific Solvency II model and the solutions that were implemented to achieve a fair balance between the theoretical concepts and the actual implementation of them.
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Mestrado Bolonha em Actuarial Science
The need for global comparability, recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of insurance contracts gave birth to IFRS17. IFRS17 marks a new era for insurance contract accounting. This work brings forward the impact of IFRS17 on the Workers Compensation line of business (WC LoB). Liabilities in the WC LoB can be of a very different nature, namely workers compensatio insurance using non-similar to life techniques and annuities originating from non-life insurance contracts and relating to health insurance obligations that use similar to life techniques (SLT). The main focus of this paper will be on the non-similar life technique as this is the very specificity of the Portuguese insurance market. The report will present the basic measurement approaches with more focus on the Premium Allocation Approach (PAA) under the standard. The structure of the report resumes the analysis of the impact of IFRS17 on Workers Compensation by considering the disaggregation into non-similar and similar to life techniques i.e., claims arising from the WC LoB are divided into two types. The Addactis IBNRS software will be used in the analysis of this report. This is dedicated software for the non-life type of claims reserving.
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There is increased public pressure for governments to be more accountable for their actions. A particular area of concern relates to the trend of many governments to delegate responsibility for certain public services to agencies. This thesis develops a reporting model that can be used by public sector agencies to demonstrate accountability to their stakeholders. The model encompasses three main strands of accountability: financial reporting,· performance outcome reporting and stakeholder consultation. Stakeholders are identified using Clarkson's (1984) primary/secondary typology and are further delineated through Mitchell, Agle and Wood's (1997) salience framework. The prominence of financial reporting in a stakeholder reporting model is examined through a discussion of the application of commercial versus public sector accounting standards. Non-financial performance outcome reporting is a fundamental element of a stakeholder accountability model. Stewart's (1994) Ladder of Accountability is utilized to identify the various aspects of accountability: probity/legality, process, performance, programme and policy. An important element of accountability centers on stakeholder consultation and involvement. The thesis employs Friedman and Miles' (2006) Ladder of Stakeholder Management and Engagement as an approach not only to elicit feedback from stakeholders, but to truly engage them in the accountability process. This research study examines how the conceptual frameworks, convergence of accounting standards, designation of a government orgaruzation as a government business enterprise (GBE) and the introduction of accountability legislation impacts the ability of an agency to adequately demonstrate accountability to its stakeholders. This study uses the case of the workers' compensation agency in the Province of Newfoundland, Canada to develop a stakeholder accountability model which addresses the needs of stakeholders. This is one of the oldest public sector agencies in Newfoundland, and it operates at arm's length from government owing to its legislative right to levy its own revenue to fund programs. Further, as it is a mandatory system for the funders (employers) and beneficiaries (injured workers), arguably it should be held to a higher level of accountability.

The central question posed in this thesis is why has the Queensland model of workers' compensation been so enduring? The legislation remained largely intact from 1916 until 2001, with the exception of the years from 1996 to 1998. This was so despite the fact the central feature of a state-controlled monopoly that underpinned this model was always potentially divisive in line with the variances between liberal-conservative traditions and social-democratic ideals that subsisted in broader political culture. In addressing this question of longevity, this thesis explores the capacity of an initially contentious piece of legislation to draw strong support from former opponents, and the argument is put forward that it is best explained through the development and operation of a policy community that fostered a shared set of core values relative to broad workers' compensation policy preferences. These core values were compulsory state monopoly, no fault insurance and full access to common law. Thus, the longevity of the legislation is attributed to the continued support by key stakeholders of these core values. The thesis also demonstrates that policy community relations deteriorated during the 1990s as governments responded to broader political pressures precipitated by reform agendas. Inconsistencies in core values and policy outcomes for each stakeholder emerged as governments attempted to assert unprecedented control over the direction of workers' compensation in order to meet broader political goals. The legislation was threatened as relations within the policy community proved unsustainable when existing core values were contested.

The central question posed in this thesis is why has the Queensland model of workers' compensation been so enduring? The legislation remained largely intact from 1916 until 2001, with the exception of the years from 1996 to 1998. This was so despite the fact the central feature of a state-controlled monopoly that underpinned this model was always potentially divisive in line with the variances between liberal-conservative traditions and social-democratic ideals that subsisted in broader political culture. In addressing this question of longevity, this thesis explores the capacity of an initially contentious piece of legislation to draw strong support from former opponents, and the argument is put forward that it is best explained through the development and operation of a policy community that fostered a shared set of core values relative to broad workers' compensation policy preferences. These core values were compulsory state monopoly, no fault insurance and full access to common law. Thus, the longevity of the legislation is attributed to the continued support by key stakeholders of these core values. The thesis also demonstrates that policy community relations deteriorated during the 1990s as governments responded to broader political pressures precipitated by reform agendas. Inconsistencies in core values and policy outcomes for each stakeholder emerged as governments attempted to assert unprecedented control over the direction of workers' compensation in order to meet broader political goals. The legislation was threatened as relations within the policy community proved unsustainable when existing core values were contested.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith Business School
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In Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system, injured employees at risk for sustaining permanent disability may be eligible for receipt of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services if they are determined to be capable of benefitting from such services. VR services can be a valuable resource to injured employees who need assistance minimizing their work disability and maximizing their residual wage-earning capacity. However, for VR services to be effective at a system level, it is necessary to precisely and accurately identify an injured employee’s rehabilitation potential. Failure to do so is likely to result in the misallocation of a scarce and costly resource. Given recent trends in Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system (e.g., higher VR service costs and lower RTW rates among injured employees with indemnity claims), this study was conducted with the purpose of developing and validating an objective, evidence-based method of predicting the RTW status as of claim closure of injured Minnesota employees who sustained permanent impairment and received VR services. To accomplish this purpose, a closed-claim, retrospective design was implemented. Data for this cross-sectional study was obtained from the Minnesota administrative claims database. There were 15,372 claims that met all eligibility criteria. With guidance from the biopsychosocial disablement models developed by Nagi and the World Health Organization, 15 discrete predictor variables that represented medical, individual, and workplace factors were selected for study inclusion. Descriptive and predictive analyses were used to assess the relationship between this study’s RTW outcome and its set of RTW predictors. Using logistic regression, an optimal RTW model was first developed and then internally validated with a split-dataset approach. The optimal RTW model included four main effects (attorney involvement; severity of permanent impairment; age; job tenure) and three first-order interaction effects (pre-injury average weekly wage X pre-injury industry; attorney involvement X severity of permanent impairment; attorney involvement X job tenure). Though not retained in the optimal RTW model, part of body affected and education also had notable bivariate relationships with the outcome. The optimal RTW model’s performance regarding goodness-of-fit and clinical usefulness suggests it may be of value to those assessing rehabilitation potential within Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system.

Mestrado em Ciências Actuariais
A Teoria da Credibilidade providencia uma maneira de tarifar um risco no ramo segurador, fazendo para isso uso do histórico de sinistros, tanto individual como colectivo, para encontrar o prémio puro. Tem estado em desenvolvimento durante aproximadamente um século e é uma ferramenta importante que qualquer actuário deverá saber utilizar. Dos vários modelos de Credibilidade disponíveis, escolhemos o Modelo Bühlmann-Straub, amplamente reconhecido como o mais importante do ramo segurador, e o Modelo Hierárquico, que expande o Modelo Bühlmann-Straub através da implementação de uma estrutura hierárquica. Estes são aplicados à linha de negócio Acidentes de Trabalho, para determinar quais as melhores abordagens a cada um dos modelos.
Credibility Theory provides a way to rate a risk in insurance, making use of both the individual and collective claim experience to find the pure premium. It has been in development for almost a century now, and is an important tool that every actuary should know. From the many Credibility Models available to use, we chose the Bühlmann-Straub model, widely regarded as the most important one in insurance, and the Hierarchical Model, that expands upon the Bühlmann-Straub model by implementing an hierarchical structure in the model. We apply these to the Worker's Compensation line of business, to determine what the best approaches to each model are.

Workers? compensation insurance (WCI) is the highest cost to an employer following accidents. It is needed to predict the benefits value without taking into account the past records of an employee, which is not readily available in most cases. Employment and workers? compensation data were acquired from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Academy of Social Insurance, respectively. The statistical model was developed with SAS using multiple regression and the process was simplified using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The model predicted future values of workers compensation given a known number of covered workers for all U.S. states. The model is statistically proven to be fit for all states. The states were compared on the basis of percentage deviation from the actual values. By using this model, insurance companies and policymakers can have better understanding of workers? compensation trend and they can quotes premiums and develop policies more accurately.

Mestrado em Ciências Actuariais
No nosso relatório apresentamos diferentes interpretações da teoria de credibilidade de Bühlmann que foram aplicadas na análise da carteira de seguros de trabalho de uma seguradora portuguesa. Começamos pela apresentação e implementação dos modelos clássicos de Bühlmann-Straub e Jewell, posteriormente debruçamo-nos sobre a mais recente leitura destes modelos enquanto modelos lineares mistos. Por fim, apresentamos duas abordagens que sugerem como a credibilidade de Bühlmann poderá aperfeiçoar o desempenho dos modelos lineares generalizados.
In our report, several interpretations of Bühlmann credibility are applied in the workers compensation portfolio of a portuguese insurance company. We begin with classical implementations of Bühlmann-Straub and Jewell models, and then we display a more recent reading of those models as Linear Mixed Models. We end presenting two approaches that show how Bühlmann credibility can enhance the performance of generalized linear models.

Mestrado em Ciências Actuariais
This paper resumes the main findings from modeling life underwriting risks to which Worker´s Compensation is exposed. Models presented aim to shorten the path between ad hoc procedures in place and the new capital requirements foreseen by Solvency II. The legal framework of this line of business is primarily explained as it is determinant for modeling purposes. We then provide a discussion about risk models in use, major options, assumptions and other relevant issues that were regarded when modeling this line of business.

Mestrado em Ciências Actuariais
Este estudo resulta de um estágio na AXA, e visa contribuir para a correta determinação das reservas que cobrem os encargos futuros com as indemnizações no Ramo de Acidentes de Trabalho (AT). A questão é muito relevante para as pensões ditas "não obrigatoriamente remíveis", pois a autoridade supervisora (ASF) deixa em parte ao critério das companhias qual o modelo de mortalidade a aplicar. O objetivo do estágio foi assim o desenvolvimento de um modelo estocástico para a mortalidade dos pensionistas em análise, para o que foi necessário considerar inicialmente toda a população portuguesa, passando-se depois para a população constituída pelos trabalhadores cobertos por apólices de AT e, finalmente, para os segurados na AXA. O modelo global é composto por um modelo estocástico para a mortalidade da população e um modelo de mortalidade para o portfólio, obtido a partir de três modelos relacionais (Cox Proportional, Brass Linear and Workgroup PLT). As probabilidades de morte a um ano para as idades 0-110 (período 2013-2113), foram calculadas para a população em geral e para as duas carteiras e utilizadas na construção das correspondentes tábuas de mortalidade e funções associadas. Pôde então determinar-se o montante das reservas relativas aos pensionistas, incluindo os cônjuges e os filhos com idades inferiores a 21 anos. Os valores obtidos para as reservas foram então comparados com os que a AXA estabeleceria, caso continuasse a usar a mesma tabela estática atualmente em vigor (TV 73/77), para se aferir sobre o impacto da eventual implementação das tábuas resultantes do estudo.
This study results from an internship at AXA on pensions payable under the workers compensation (WC) line of business. Pensions may be compulsorily recoverable (CR) (when there is less than 30% of disability and the pension amount per year is less than six times the minimal national salary) or not compulsorily recoverable (NCR). Law defines that the mathematical provisions for CR pensions must be calculated by applying mortality table TD88/90 and interest rate 5.25%. To manage pensions NCR is more complex because technical bases are not legally defined and difficult computations are required. In particular, companies must predict the amount of payments discounted reflecting the mortality effect for all pensioners. Our purpose is thus to develop a stochastic model for the future mortality of the WC pensioners (Portuguese market workers and AXA portfolio). The global model is split in: a stochastic model for population mortality which allows for forecasts, combined with point estimates from a portfolio mortality model obtained through three relational models (Cox Proportional, Brass Linear and Workgroup PLT). The one year death probabilities for ages 0-110, period 2013-2113, are obtained for general population and the portfolios. These probabilities are used to compute life table functions and the NCR reserves for each of the models for the pensioners, spouses and children under 25. The results are compared with the NCR reserves computed using the static mortality table (TV 73/77) that is currently being used by AXA, to see the impact on this reserve if AXA adopted the dynamic tables.

Résumé : S'intéressant à l'action administrative de premier niveau, ce mémoire tente de mettre en lumière les limites juridiques et les facteurs organisationnels qui influent sur l'exercice par les agents d'indemnisation et les conseillers en réadaptation de la CSST de leurs fonctions. Tout comme des études empiriques réalisées dans d'autres juridictions à l'égard de différents régimes de sécurité sociale et desquelles elle est inspirée, cette étude révèle que l'exercice d'une discrétion administrative est inévitable. Y sont décrites et commentées les méthodes de gestion privilégiées par l'organisme et les fonctions exercées par les décideurs de manière à identifier la part d'appréciation ou de jugement que peuvent exercer les agents et les conseillers dans le cadre du régime québécois de réparation des lésions professionnelles, ainsi que les processus décisionnels, variables selon les fonctions particulières exercées, qui y mis en œuvres. Cette étude démontre également comment la structure administrative privilégiée par l'organisme est susceptible de contribuer au respect des droits des administrés, tout en comportant certains risques d'atteinte à l'équité des processus.
Abstract : This aim of this study is to expose the legal limits and organisational factors which may affect decision-makers' discretion in the context of the employment injuries compensation system in the province of Québec. The findings of this study align with some empirical studies concerning different social security regimes in other jurisdictions from which it is inspired. Indeed, it reveals that administrative discretion is inevitable. It describes and comments the management techniques implemented in the organization. It also describes the particular functions of two categories of street-level workers, the agents d'indemnisation and the conseillers en réadaptation, in order to identify the matters about which they may use their judgment or exercise a discretion, as well as the particular decision-making processes that occur at the front lines of service delivery. It shows how the administrative structure concurs to the respect of the clients rights but may neverheless undermine the processes fairness.

The purpose of this study was to examine the total direct costs of occupational injuries as they relate to workers compensation allocations within a self-insured firm. Through the use of a model, this study provides financial impact information for safety professionals by defining the total direct costs of occupational injuries. The investigator constructed a model which traced actual workers compensation allocations over a five year period at a division of Hewlett-Packard in Corvallis, Oregon. The objective of this model was to compare actual workers compensation cost history with that of adjusted workers compensation cost data to determine the total direct costs that occupational injuries have on the division's workers compensation cost allocations. This study indicated that injuries produce cost impacts to divisions well beyond the injury compensation costs reported by insurance carrier payment summaries. The study at this specific Hewlett-Packard division in Oregon indicated total costs at 1.7 to 1.9 times the actual cost of workers compensation reimbursements. This study supports the need to continue research efforts that will further refine the identification of total injury costs and the impact these losses have on the business performance of a company.
Graduation date: 1993

Tese de doutoramento em Direito, Justiça e Cidadania no Século XXI, apresentada à Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra
O mundo laboral vive atualmente um momento marcado pela incerteza quanto ao futuro e pela certeza de que o presente é de crise e de recessão. O trabalho, alterado nos seus conteúdos e formas, nas suas modalidades, espaços e tempos, é atravessado por uma crise que afeta tanto o seu valor como os seus significados e contextos. Estas transformações, intensificadas pelos processos de globalização económica, encontram nas condições de trabalho, descritas como responsáveis pela intensificação e multiplicação dos riscos profissionais, novos quadros existenciais de incerteza que questionam o valor do trabalho enquanto identidade e do direito enquanto reconhecimento. Como consequência da forte degradação das condições de trabalho e do aumento dos riscos profissionais, milhões de trabalhadores em todo o mundo morrem ou ficam gravemente feridos devido a acidentes de trabalho e/ou doenças profissionais. A problemática da sinistralidade laboral, não sendo nova, tem sido alvo de uma crescente preocupação teórica e política justificada pelo número de acidentes de trabalho registados e pelo facto de estes condensarem no corpo e vida dos trabalhadores o conflito entre capital e trabalho. Os acidentes de trabalho, enquanto evento imprevisto e indesejável de que pode resultar uma lesão ou a morte, apresentam-se como um fenómeno complexo e multifacetado. A montante ou a jusante, na identificação e prevenção das suas causas ou na compreensão e reparação das suas consequências, os acidentes de trabalho constituem-se como um desafio à efetiva proteção jurídica dos trabalhadores. Por outras palavras, assumem-se como uma dinâmica de possível exclusão do trabalho e, por conseguinte, uma negação da cidadania e da dignidade. Neste sentido, continuam a desafiar o direito do trabalho, em particular o direito à reparação, a uma maior efetividade e a um reconhecimento do valor do trabalho e da dignidade do trabalhador. Partindo do pressuposto que a ocorrência de um acidente de trabalho altera a trajetória individual, social e familiar de um indivíduo, esta investigação procurou discutir e questionar a efetividade do sistema de proteção e de reparação dos acidentes de trabalho. Circunscrito à realidade portuguesa, este trabalho refletiu sobre as experiências individuais de sinistralidade e procurou perceber de que modo o acidente de trabalho altera as identidades e a conceção de trabalhador. A análise do modelo de reparação dos acidentes de trabalho em Portugal, construída teoricamente com base numa abordagem sociojurídica da regulação do risco e do reconhecimento do valor do trabalho, consubstanciou-se em termos metodológicos numa comparação entre a evolução do dispositivo reparatório, que tutela o direito à vida e à integridade física do trabalhador e reconhece o valor do trabalho e do trabalhador, e o recurso às histórias de vida dos trabalhadores sinistrados. O direito à reparação do acidente de trabalho, não obstante a evolução verificada ao longo do último século, continua a proteger juridicamente, quase em exclusivo, a integridade económica ou produtiva do trabalhador sinistrado, na medida em que os danos indemnizáveis dizem respeito apenas à redução da capacidade de ganho ou de trabalho. O conhecimento das trajetórias individuais e laborais dos trabalhadores sinistrados revelou as fragilidades decorrentes da reparação dos danos sofridos na vida concreta dos trabalhadores sinistrados ou das suas famílias, ao mesmo tempo que demostrou uma visão redutora do ser humano enquanto trabalhador. Ao demonstrar que as consequências de um acidente de trabalho vão além das reguladas juridicamente, esta investigação concluiu, por um lado, que os trabalhadores sujeitos a uma experiência de acidente de trabalho veem intensificadas as condições de vulnerabilidade social conexas à exposição aos riscos profissionais e à regulação jurídica dos mesmos, e, por outro, que a definição jurídica de responsabilidade pelo dano de acidente de trabalho e, consequentemente, pelo reconhecimento do valor do trabalhador sinistrado potenciam o aumento das condições de insegurança para os trabalhadores. Estas conclusões são visíveis no facto de os impactos do acidente extravasarem a esfera laboral e dos danos sofridos irem muito além da perda da capacidade de trabalho, abrangendo igualmente as dimensões individuais, familiares e sociais. Vítima do trabalho, das suas condições e do acidente, o trabalhador sinistrado vê-se, igualmente, como uma vítima da proteção jurídica ao descobrir, após o acidente, que é um cidadão de segunda classe e um trabalhador pela metade, reduzido à sua dimensão produtiva, a uma simples peça de uma máquina e/ou do processo produtivo, cujo reconhecimento se expressa meramente na sua capacidade produtiva e valor económico.
The world of work is facing today a period of uncertainty about the future and the certainty that this is a time of crisis and recession. The work, changed in its contents and forms, in its modalities, space and time, is crossed by a crisis that affects their value, meanings and contexts. These changes, exacerbated by the economic processes of globalization, find on the working conditions, described as responsible for the intensification and multiplication of occupational hazards, new existential frames of uncertainty which questions the value of work as identity and the law as recognition. As a result of working conditions deterioration and occupational hazards increase, millions of workers worldwide died or become injured from work-related accidents and diseases. Despite the problematic of occupational accidents not being new, recently it is possible to identify a growing concern, whether theoretical or political, justified by the number of workers involved and the fact that an occupational accidents summarize in the body and life of the workers the conflict between capital and labour. Work-related accidents, understood as an unexpected and undesirable event that may result in an injury or death, are presented as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Not only in terms of prevention, but especially concerning to compensation of their consequences, this issue continues to challenging the labour law to a more effective protection. In this sense, the accidents are seen as a possible labour exclusion dynamic and, therefore, a denial of citizenship and dignity. For that, the right to compensation is understood as recognition of the labour value and workers dignity. Assuming that an occupational accident is able to transform the worker condition and changes the individual, social and family pathways, this research circumscribed to the Portuguese reality sought to discuss and question the effectiveness of the workers’ compensation system. Built theoretically on a socio-legal approach of risk regulation and work recognition, the analysis of the Portuguese workers’ compensation system was methodology consolidated on the balance between the analysis of the compensation mechanisms, which protects the right to life and physical integrity of the worker and recognizes the value of work and of the worker, and the use of life stories of workers victims of accidents at work. The workers’ compensation rights, notwithstanding the developments over the last century, continues to protect legally and almost exclusively the economic or productive integrity related to the reduction of work capacity, gain or death. The knowledge of the subjective experiences and of the individual and labour trajectories of workers victims of occupation accidents displayed some fragilities of the workers’ compensation system and demonstrated a reductionist vision of the human being as a worker. By establishing that the consequences of an occupational accidents goes beyond the ones that are legally regulated, this research concluded, on one hand, that workers subjected to an accident experience get intensified the conditions of social vulnerability related to occupational hazards exposure. For other hand, the legal definitions of responsibility that establish the compensation rights and work recognition have the potential to increase social insecurity conditions. These findings are visible in the fact that occupation accidents impacts overstep the economic dimension related to labour and include individual, family and social consequences. Victims of work, its conditions and of the accident, the injured workers also find themselves as victims of the legal protection. After the accident, the workers find out that they are second-class citizens and workers by half. Because the legal recognition of the occupational accidents impacts and consequences is merely expressed in terms of lost productive capacity and economic value, the workers are reduced to a single piece of a machine and/or production process.
FCT - SFRH/BD/66241/2009