Chronic pain can also occur either as a result of a preexisting psychiatric condition or a complicating psychiatric comorbidity to physical injury. In the course of litigation, it always need to be forensically evaluated to rule out misattribution, exaggeration, or secondary gain.
The following is an article by by Glenn Burkins of The Wall Street Journal:
"Business Groups and Allies in Congress Seek to Block OSHA Ergonomics Plan"
Washington- As the government moves forward with plans to impose a national ergonomics standard for employers, business groups and their allies in Congress are organizing to block it.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration gave a sneak peak at a draft proposal that would require employers in various industries to implement programs to reduce worker injuries related to repetitive motions.
Mr. Ballinger, who heads a House subcommittee on work-force protection, said he and other House Republicans would vigorously fight the OSHA plan unless "sound research" is presented to justify such a move. 'Without more scientific and medical evidence,' he said, 'OSHA cannot write a reasonable or effective regulation.'
The proposal would affect an estimated 25 million workers in production jobs that require a range of motions such as lifting, pulling, pushing or bending. Even some professional jobs could be affected, such as secretaries, data processors and others who work at keyboards. In fact, few industries would be exempt, namely agriculture, construction and maritime trades.
Although OSHA officials say their final draft won't be ready until at least September, the Washinton Post unveiled some sketchy details: Employers covered by the rule would be required to identify hazards and respond to worker complaints. This could involve redesigning work stations or changing the way people do their jobs.
In most cases, a single injury would be enough to trigger such a response. Workers who complain of injury would be entitled to free medical treatment.
Doctors treating an injured worker could recommend rest at home, reassignment or work restrictions, and employers generally would be compelled to comply. In most cases, injured workers would be guaranteed full pay, benefits and seniority rights while they recuperate.
OSHA Administrator Charles Jeffress concedes the new ergonomic standards would require a 'significant investment by American business.' But those costs are small, he said, when compared with the medical and business costs associated with work-related inuries: 15 billion to $20 billion a year, he says.
Still, Mr. Jeffress said he believes momentum is building, even in Congress, for a national ergonomics standard. From 1996 to 1998, Congressional Republicans had passed spending restrictions prohibiting OSHA from studying, drafting or implementing an ergonomics standard. But in a move Mr. Jeffress views as promising, no such restrictions were imposed for 1999." [February 22, 1999 Edition of The Wall Street Journal]