Mining, injuries, and the compensation process: who does it hurt the most?

Abstract

The thesis aimed to determine the impact of a lower back injury and the compensation claim process experienced by some male underground workers in Sudbury, Ontario. A qualitative descriptive study design was employed and utilized inductive, in-depth, in-person interviews. Participants were recruited using an existing database of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6500. Thematic analysis was employed and yielded the following themes: extreme financial hardship, compromised family relationships, feelings of depression, unsafe work environments, punishment for injured workers, denial of illness and compensation by the employer, and a tough fight for compensation. In conclusion, the results of this study emphasized the need for additional research about the biopsychosocial consequences of an injury, how to better support an injured worker and the importance of providing process, policy, and injury prevention education for all individuals involved in an injured workers journey.