Abstract
We examine differences in the value of statistical life (VSL) across potential wage levels in panel data using quantile regressions with intercept heterogeneity. Latent heterogeneity is econometrically important and affects the estimated VSL. Our findings indicate that a reasonable average cost per expected life saved cut-off for health and safety regulations is $7 million to $8 million per life saved, but the VSL varies considerably across the labor force. Our results reconcile the previous discrepancies between hedonic VSL estimates and the values implied by theories linked to the coefficient of relative risk aversion. Because the VSL varies elastically with income, regulatory agencies should regularly update the VSL used in benefit assessments, increasing the VSL proportionally with changes in income over time.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 15-31 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Journal of Risk and Uncertainty |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2010 |
Keywords
- CFOI
- Fatality risk
- Fixed effects
- PSID
- Panel data
- Quantile regression
- VSL
- Value of statistical life
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics and Econometrics