The Power of Words. Manifested Capital in the Processing of Claims of Compensation for Occupational Disorders

Decisions on compensation vary according to the insured person’s access to relevant resources. Socioeconomic inequalities also affect, and manifest themselves in, the communication between primarily insurers and applicants, which in turn plays an important part in obtaining approval when applying for life insurance benefits. This article examines administration of the insurance for occupational disorders, focusing on power relations made visible in the communication. Through a qualitative text analysis, a random sample of personal files (n=139) was examined. In the communication process, unequal power relations are reflected and reproduced. Findings show gaps and contradictions regarding how the insured person is addressed, what kinds of explanations are valued, and what information is requested and how. We argue that lack of communication between the insurance case administrator, the treating physician, and the insured person contributes in making the process dependent on the insured person’s access to capital in terms of, for example, education, knowledge of the insurance system, and a relevant social network.