Difference-in-Differences with Multiple Events

Abstract

Confounding events with correlated timing violate the parallel trends assumption in Difference-in-Differences (DiD) designs. I show that the standard staggered DiD estimator is biased in the presence of confounding events. Identification can be achieved with units not yet treated by either event as controls and a double DiD design using variation in treatment timing. I apply this method to examine the effect of states' staggered minimum wage raise on teen employment from 2010 to 2020. The Medicaid expansion under the ACA confounded the raises, leading to a spurious negative estimate.