Get unlimited access to Bruins cup coverage - Just 99¢

The Boston Globe

Nation

Boston.com

Painkillers hike workers’ compensation cost, insurers say

Injured who take opioids slower to return to work

By Barry Meier

 |  New York Times  

  June 03, 2012

Workplace insurers are accustomed to making billions of dollars in payments each year, with the biggest sums going to employees hurt in major accidents, like those mangled by machines or crushed in building collapses. Now they are dealing with another big and fast-growing cost - payouts to workers with routine injuries who have been treated with strong painkillers, including many who do not return to work for months, if ever.

Stay with the story. Get full access to BostonGlobe.com for just 99¢

Unlimited access to BostonGlobe.com for only 99¢ for the first 4 weeks. You can cancel at any time.

  • The FULL story all day: Enjoy all of the high-quality, in-depth journalism in the print edition of the Boston Globe — plus breaking news that's updated 24/7.
  • A truly reader-friendly format: It's online news that looks and reads just like the newspaper — uncluttered, uninterrupted.
  • Breakthrough technology: The responsive design automatically adapts content so it always reads perfectly on the digital device of your choice.
Get started today

Free access for home delivery subscribers.

Just need to link your home delivery account; one easy step.

Link my home delivery account

BostonGlobe.comSubscriber Log In

Contact us for help

  • Phone

    888-MY-GLOBE

    Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

    Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 7:30 a.m.- 12:00 noon

  • Chat

    Start a chat

    Monday-Sunday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

  • E-mail

    support@bostonglobe.com