Associations with duration of compensation following whiplash sustained in a motor vehicle crash

Context Continued exposure to compensation systems has been reported as deleterious to the health of participants. Understanding the associations with time to claim closure could allow for targeted interventions aimed at minimising the time participants are exposed to the compensation system. Study objective To identify the associations of extended time receiving compensation benefits with the aim of developing a prognostic model that predicts time to claim closure. Study design Prospective cohort study in people with whiplash associated disorder. Outcome measures Time to claim closure, in a privately underwritten fault based third party traffic crash insurance scheme in New South Wales, Australia. Method Cox proportional hazard regression modelling. Results Of the 246 participants, 25% remained in the compensation system longer than 24 months with 15% remaining longer than three years. Higher initial disability (Functional Rating Index ≥ 25 at baseline) (HRR: 95% CI, 1.916: 1.324–2.774, p