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Robot Effects on Worker's Compensation Benefits

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  • Hyejin Kim

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of robots on workplace injury benefits paid in South Korea. Using the administrative data on worker's compensation, I found that the increase in robot exposure contributes to the significant decline in the average benefit amount per covered worker, mainly driven by the reduction in the number of claims, rather than the size of claims. The effects are stronger, especially for serious cases such as permanent disability.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyejin Kim, 2026. "Robot Effects on Worker's Compensation Benefits," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(2), pages 139-144, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:35:y:2026:i:2:p:139-144
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.70033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Qiren & Luo, Sen & Seamans, Robert, 2024. "Pain or anxiety? The health consequences of rising robot adoption in China," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    2. Daron Acemoglu & Pascual Restrepo, 2020. "Robots and Jobs: Evidence from US Labor Markets," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 128(6), pages 2188-2244.
    3. Daisuke Adachi & Daiji Kawaguchi & Yukiko U. Saito, 2024. "Robots and Employment: Evidence from Japan, 1978–2017," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 42(2), pages 591-634.
    4. Osea Giuntella & Yi Lu & Tianyi Wang, 2025. "How do Workers Adjust to Robots? Evidence from China," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 135(666), pages 637-652.
    5. Hyejin Kim, 2024. "The impact of robots on labor demand: evidence from job vacancy data in South Korea," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 67(3), pages 1185-1209, September.
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