Mission & History

Our Mission:

To be a catalyst for significant improvements in workers' compensation systems, providing the public with objective, credible, high-quality research on important public policy issues.

The Institute:

Founded in 1983, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization which strives to help those interested in making improvements to the workers' compensation system by providing highly-regarded, objective data and analysis.

The Institute does not take positions on the issues it researches; rather, it provides information obtained through studies and data collection efforts, which conform to recognized scientific methods. Objectivity is further ensured through rigorous, unbiased peer review procedures.

The Institute's work includes:

• Original research studies of major issues confronting workers' compensation systems, e.g. outcomes for injured workers, prescription drugs and opioids, physician dispensing, etc.
• Studies of individual state systems where policymakers have shown an interest in change and where there is an unmet need for objective information.
• Studies of states that have undergone major legislative changes to measure the impact of those reforms and draw possible lessons for other states.
• Presentations on research findings to legislators, workers' compensation administrators, industry groups, and other stakeholders.

With WCRI's research, policymakers and other system stakeholders such as employers, insurers, and labor unions can monitor state systems on a regular basis and identify incremental changes to improve system performance. This results in a more enduring, efficient, and equitable system that better serves the needs of workers and employers.