 |
 |
I have received the following mesage from a lawyer seeking some statistical input. If anybody is interested in this, they should contact Mr. Hassell directly, NOT me. Martin CR Hassell wrote: > Dear Sir: > > For a research project and paper I am seeking someone who can analyze > a statutory section in a state workers' compensation Act. Briefly, > under the omnibus or "catch-all" provision of the law in > question, compensation is allowed for disability due to occupational > disease. OD is established by proof of disease/injury caused > by exposure to harmful agents or activities in the workplace, and > proof of increased risk. Relevant epidemiological studies > and physician testimony from treating MD or forensic expert is usually > required. The increased risk qualifier or test is whether the injured > employee's history of exposure or activities that led to injury placed > him at greater risk of developing his disease than members of the > general public outside his particular employment. The precise > language is: "...excluding all ordinary diseases of life to which the > general public is equally exposed outside of the ermployment." It > seems not entirely a medical question. The keys seem to be the > modifier "equal" and the cohorts compared, i.e., one specific worker's > exposure experience vs. that of the entire general public. Is this an > issue a medical statistician can analyze? If not, can you suggest who > might? Thank you. > > C.R. Hassell, Jr. > Attorney at Law > Raleigh, NC USA -- *************************************************** J. Martin Bland Prof. of Health Statistics Dept. of Health Sciences Seebohm Rowntree Building Area 2 University of York Heslington York YO10 5DD Email: [log in to unmask] Phone: 01904 321334 Fax: 01904 321382 Web site: http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~mb55/ ***************************************************