Date of Award

1994

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Business Administration

Department

Business

First Advisor

Daniel W. Kemper

Second Advisor

Jan Kniffen

Third Advisor

Peter Carlos

Abstract

This thesis will focus on the study of the Missouri workers' compensation system. its difficulties, the causes, and possible remedies. Current research reveals that the rising cost of workers' compensation is causing industry. labor. and government to consider major reforms to the system. These reforms might be directed toward curtailing rising medical costs. Workers' compensation costs have increased significantly through the 80's, and continue to rise. Excessive litigation 1s another factor influencing the cost of workers' compensation.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the difficulties found in administering a fair and equitable workers' compensation system. It is hypothesized that effective reform will reduce the cost of the Missouri Workers' Compensation system .. thus securing the system for the future.

Results of data analysis reveal that rising costs 1n workers' compensation are attributable to factors of medical inflation. rising cost of wage benefits. the nature of workplace injuries. growing attorney involvement, and ineffective legislation. There is enough data to conclude that no single enhancement to the system would salvage its decline. Enhancing the system with several effective program changes, at the legislative level and in the workplace. might curtail the destructive cost spiral that workers' compensation is experiencing.

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