Impact of Recreational Marijuana Laws on Workers’ Compensation Benefits

As more states adopt recreational marijuana laws (RMLs), this new study examines changes in workers’ compensation claim frequency and outcomes such as per-claim medical payments, indemnity benefits, temporary disability duration, and prescription drug utilization and costs. This research is important as marijuana use continues to rise. Our study highlights the complex effects RMLs have on… Read More >>

CompScope™ Benchmarks, 2025 Edition

These studies help workers’ compensation policymakers and other system stakeholders identify current cost drivers and emerging trends in total costs per claim and key components. They compare the performance of state workers’ compensation systems in 18 states, focusing on overall medical payments, income benefits, use of benefits, duration of temporary disability, benefit delivery expenses,… Read More >>

Degenerative and Comorbid Conditions in Workers’ Compensation

Degenerative and comorbid conditions often coexist with primary work-related injuries, complicating treatment and recovery, leading to increased costs and extended duration of temporary disability. This study compares claims with and without comorbidities, as well as those involving one or multiple comorbid conditions. It highlights the importance of early detection and intervention to reduce… Read More >>

Workers’ Compensation Laws as of January 1, 2025

This report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) and the International Association of Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) compares workers’ compensation regulations and benefits across U.S. states and Canadian provinces as of January 1, 2025. In Canada and the United States, workers’ compensation is governed by sub-national legislative bodies and administrative… Read More >>

Trends in Medical Utilization as a Function of Age and Tenure—A WCRI FlashReport

This FlashReport examines how medical utilization trends during the COVID-19 pandemic varied by workers' age and job tenure. A significant driver behind trends in medical payments per claim during the pandemic was a decrease in medical utilization. This report offers valuable insights into how these patterns differed across workers of varying ages and tenures. The study analyzed data from… Read More >>

Webinar: Highlights of the Delaware Workers’ Compensation System

Waltham, MA, May 15, 2025 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a free, 30-minute webinar on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET, focusing on findings from its CompScope™ Benchmarks for Delaware, 2025 Edition. The study’s lead author, Evelina Radeva, will discuss Delaware’s workers’ compensation system and its performance relative to other states. “The… Read More >>

Another Successful Conference in the Books

A huge thank you to our speakers and attendees for making the 2025 WCRI Issues & Research Conference in sunny Phoenix a tremendous success! We hope all our attendees enjoyed diving into our latest research, hearing from expert keynote speakers and panelists, and networking with our diverse audience. Mark your calendars for next year’s conference, scheduled for March 3–4, 2026, in… Read More >>

One Week Left—Register Now for the 2025 WCRI

The clock is ticking—only one week remains to secure your spot at the 2025 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, taking place March 6–7 in sunny Phoenix, AZ. Federal changes—those already made and those under consideration—are likely to impact all stakeholders in the system in different ways. This is what makes the WCRI conference a must-attend event. It brings together employers,… Read More >>

Two Weeks Left: Register Now!

The clock is ticking—only two weeks remain to secure your spot at the 2025 WCRI Issues & Research Conference, March 6–7 in sunny Phoenix, AZ. At WCRI, we know conferences are about two key things: cutting-edge content and meaningful networking. We’re proud to deliver both in abundance. Cutting-Edge Content Get access to original, data-driven research on the most pressing issues in our… Read More >>

Will Washington’s Changes Impact Comp?

The 2025 WCRI Issues & Research Conference is almost here—March 6–7 in Phoenix, AZ. With ongoing changes in Washington, now is the perfect time to explore how these shifts could impact the future of workers' compensation. This year’s event features two renowned thought leaders: Dr. Lanhee J. Chen (Stanford University) will open with an engaging discussion on how the new… Read More >>

Webinar: Highlights of the Delaware Workers’ Compensation System

Waltham, MA, May 15, 2025 ― The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) will host a free, 30-minute webinar on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET, focusing on findings from its CompScope™ Benchmarks for Delaware, 2025 Edition. The study’s lead author, Evelina Radeva, will discuss Delaware’s workers’ compensation system and its performance relative to other states. “The… Read More >>

WCRI: Recent Trends in Florida Costs per Workers’ Compensation Claim Highly Influenced by Wages

Waltham, MA, May 13, 2025 – The recent changes in overall costs per claim in 2022 and 2023 in Florida were largely due to wage growth, according to a recent study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). In contrast, medical payments per claim were stable from 2020 to 2023 following a decrease in 2020, mainly driven by decreases in utilization of medical services due to… Read More >>

WCRI: Total Cost per Workers’ Compensation Claim in Delaware Remains Stable

Waltham, MA, May 6, 2025 – A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) finds that total costs per workers’ compensation claim in Delaware remain stable. These costs include three components: indemnity payments for lost wages, medical expenses, and benefit delivery expenses. “Delaware ranks near the middle of the 18 study states in terms of total costs per… Read More >>

WCRI Finds Increase in Frequency After States Allow Recreational Cannabis

Claim frequency increased by an average of 7.7% in states after the adoption of recreational cannabis laws, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute. Read More >>

WorkCompRecap: Comparing Costs!

Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the release of the latest edition of WCRI’s CompScope Benchmarks reports, which provide ongoing annual monitoring of how indemnity benefits, medical payments, and benefit delivery expenses in 18 states compare and how they have changed over time. Read More >>

Stay Informed

Receive periodic email updates on
WCRI studies and events.


us-map-gold.webp

Browse Reports By State

View all reports, categorized by state:

Search by State >

Free Report

WCRI’s study, A Primer on Behavioral Health Care in Workers’ Compensation, helps to identify behavioral health issues in workers’ compensation and create a common language and understanding.

Download Now