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.

Key findings in the 2026 edition included that total workers’ compensation claim costs grew by an average of 6% per year from 2020-25 in the median study state. WCRI noted that the increases reflected sustained growth across major claim components: medical payments per claim grew via price growth for medical services, rather than changes in utilization; indemnity benefits per claim rose as longer temporary disability durations placed upward pressure on benefits; and in benefit delivery, both medical cost containment expenses and litigation expenses grew steadily.

Read the full article here.  Visit the page for CompScope™ Benchmarks, 2026 Edition for more information, including links to the individual state studies and details on how to get copies!