This 2026 edition of CompScope™ Benchmarks for North Carolina helps policymakers and other system stakeholders identify current cost drivers and emerging trends in the state workers’ compensation system. This report provides meaningful comparisons between North Carolina and 17 other study states on key measures including costs, income and indemnity benefits, overall medical payments, duration of temporary disability, frequency and payments of permanent partial disability/lump-sum claims, benefit delivery expenses, and timeliness of payments. It also examines how these metrics have changed, primarily from 2020 to 2025; in some cases, we use a longer time period to supply historical context for key metrics. Where relevant, we include findings from other recent Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) studies to provide a more comprehensive picture.

CompScope™ Benchmarks for North Carolina, 2026 Edition. William Monnin-Browder. April 2026. WC-26-15.