Neck sprains in car crashes : incidence, associations, length of compensation and costs to the insurer.

In 1987, there were 4,328 car occupants involved in a crash in the Province of Quebec who sustained at least a cervical injury. Frequency, nature and severity of the neck injuries are examined as a function of occupant and accident parameters. Particular emphasis is given to the costs not covered by the provincial health plan, such as rehabilitation, compensation for pain, anatomico-physiological deficits and time lost from work (income replacement). Cervical sprains alone result often in a long term disability, and this income replacement constitutes a major expense for the insurer. (A)