June 27, 2019 by WorkCompWire

Boca Raton, FL – In today’s modern world, more individuals are using wearable devices to help them stay connected, keep better track of their daily activities, and achieve their health, fitness, and overall wellness goals. But with improving technology and expanding opportunities, wearable devices are now taking on much larger roles.

A wearable device—typically thought of in terms of fitness trackers and smart watches—is any advanced electronic device with smart sensors, worn or carried on the body, that seamlessly collects and transmits data through some type of network connection, such as cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS.

More and more, employers are looking at how wearable technology can be implemented in the workplace, with improving employee safety as a primary goal. Devices can allow companies to monitor and track activities, analyze motions, alert for hazards, and augment physical capabilities, among other things.

Workers compensation has experienced a long-term decline in overall claim frequency, with a 19% decrease from Accident Year 2011 to Accident Year 2016. Among other causes, NCCI research points to automation, robotics, and continued advances in safety as contributing factors to the decrease. However, during this same time period, total claim severity increased 13%.

Could these frequency and severity workplace injury trends be impacted by the use of wearable devices? What impact could the widespread use of wearable devices have on the workers compensation system? NCCI interviewed workers compensation stakeholders for their views on this evolving topic.

Read the full piece here: NCCI Insights: Wearables in Workers’ Compensation

Source: NCCI