Waltham, MA, May 19, 2026 – Total payments per claim in Wisconsin rose by 9 percent annually between 2022 and 2025, following a long period of stability, according to a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

“This increase was driven by rapid growth in medical payments, indemnity benefits, and benefit delivery expenses,” said Sebastian Negrusa, vice president of research at WCRI. “We see similar trends in most of our study states, although the factors driving cost growth in Wisconsin are distinct.”

The analysis also suggests that high-cost claims are playing a growing role in workers’ compensation, particularly in Wisconsin. At the same time, indemnity benefit payments in Wisconsin remain below the median of the 18 study states.

CompScope™ Benchmarks for Wisconsin, 2026 Edition examines how costs and system performance in Wisconsin’s workers’ compensation system have changed over time, primarily from 2020 to 2025, using multistate comparisons across a broad range of claims and benefit measures.

The report, authored by Evelina Radeva, is available free to WCRI members and for purchase by nonmembers.

About WCRI

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), based in Waltham, MA, is an independent, not‑for‑profit research organization founded in 1983. WCRI provides objective information through studies and data collection that follow recognized scientific methods and rigorous peer review. The Institute does not make recommendations or take positions on the issues it researches, ensuring neutrality and credibility. Its diverse membership includes employers, insurers, government agencies, managed care companies, health care providers, regulators, labor organizations, and state agencies across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.