Accidental Mortality and Compensation Payment in School Activities among Elementary, Middle and High School Students in Seoul over Twenty Years (1988-2007)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify accidental mortality during school activities of students in elementary, middle or high school in Seoul and consequent compensation payment. METHODS: Fifty-eight students died due to accidents during the period 1988 through 2007. Data were obtained from the Seoul School Safety and Insurance Association, and Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Chi-square, t test, and ANCOVA were used in the data analysis. RESULTS: Among students, 75.9% were male and 37.9% were high school students. Accidental mortality was 1.61 per one million students (2.33 for male, and 0.82 for female students, and 0.93, 2.13 and 2.31 for elementary, middle and high school students, respectively). Mortality caused by drowning and falls per one million student was 0.85 and 0.74 for male, and 0.23 and 0.35 for female students. After age, year and cause were adjusted using ANCOVA, the mean compensation payment was 40,615 thousand won for male, and 62,000 thousands for female students. Highest compensation payment was 127,137 thousand for cerebral concussion after age, gender, year and cause were adjusted. CONCLUSION: To decrease student accidental mortality, especially drowning and falls, development of efficient safety-enforcing education is essential to prevent injuries and avoid preventable compensation costs.

Césio 137: 25 anos: uma história para relembrar e prevenir / Cesium 137: 25 years old: a story to remember and prevent

Relato histórico acerca do acidente com o Césio 137, ocorrido em setembro de 1987, em Goiânia, Goiás. Há 25 anos acontecia o maior acidente radioativo do mundo, com a violação da cápsula que ficava revestida num imenso aparelho de chumbo, abandonado nas ruínas da antiga Santa Casa, no centro da capital. A publicação traz o primeiro Boletim Epidemiológico da saúde dos pacientes expostos ao Césio 137 e é uma análise descritiva, com retrospecto de janeiro de 2005 a julho de 2012, em todas as áreas de assistência prestadas pelo poder público estadual.

Historical account of the accident with Cesio 137, which occurred in September 1987, in Goiânia, Goiás. The biggest radioactive accident in the world took place 25 years ago, with the violation of the capsule that was coated in a huge lead apparatus, abandoned in the ruins of old Santa Casa, in the center of the capital. The publication brings the first Epidemiological Bulletin on the health of patients exposed to Cesium 137 and is a descriptive analysis, with a retrospective from January 2005 to July 2012, in all areas of care provided by the state government.