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Immigrant Status and the Value of Statistical Life

Joni Hersch
Vanderbilt University Law School; Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management; Vanderbilt University - College of Arts and Science - Department of Economics

W. Kip Viscusi
Vanderbilt University - Law School; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Vanderbilt University - Department of Economics; Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management

April 22, 2009

Journal of Human Resources, Forthcoming
Vanderbilt Law and Economics Research Paper No. 09-15

Abstract:
Using data from the Current Population Survey and the New Immigrant Survey, this paper examines the common perception that immigrants are concentrated in high risk jobs for which they receive little wage compensation. Compared to native U.S. workers, non-Mexican immigrants are not at higher risk and have substantial values of statistical life. However, Mexican immigrants incur much higher fatality risks than native U.S. workers and do not receive wage compensation for these risks. Mexican immigrants who do not understand English fare especially poorly. The evidence is consistent with Mexican immigrants facing different wage offer curves.

Keywords: value of statistical life, immigrants, fatality risks, risk, compensating differentials, immigration, Mexican immigrants

JEL Classifications: J17, J31, J61

Working Paper Series

Date posted: April 25, 2009 ; Last revised: October 08, 2009

Suggested Citation

Hersch, Joni and Viscusi, W. Kip, Immigrant Status and the Value of Statistical Life (April 22, 2009). Journal of Human Resources, Forthcoming; Vanderbilt Law and Economics Research Paper No. 09-15. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1394360

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Contact Information

Joni Hersch (Contact Author) Vanderbilt University Law School ( email ) 131 21st Avenue South Nashville, TN 37203-1181 United States 615-343-7717 (Phone) 615-322-6631 (Fax) HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/go/phdlawecon
Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management ( email ) 401 21st Avenue South Nashville, TN 37203 United States
Vanderbilt University - College of Arts and Science - Department of Economics ( email ) Box 1819 Station B Nashville, TN 37235 United States
W. Kip Viscusi Vanderbilt University - Law School ( email ) 131 21st Avenue South Nashville, TN 37203-1181 United States 615-343-7715 (Phone) 615-322-5953 (Fax) HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty/viscusi.htm
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) 1050 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 United States
Vanderbilt University - Department of Economics ( email ) Box 1819 Station B Nashville, TN 37235 United States (615) 343-7715 (Phone) (615) 343-5953 (Fax) HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty/viscusi.htm
Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management ( email ) 401 21st Avenue South Nashville, TN 37203 United States (615) 343-7715 (Phone) (615) 343-5953 (Fax) HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/faculty/viscusi.htm

Abstract

Date posted: April 25, 2009 ; Last revised: October 08, 2009

Suggested Citation

Contact Information

Joni Hersch (Contact Author)

W. Kip Viscusi