Things you should know

Study of drivers killed in crashes shows many tested positive for THC

A team led by a Wright State University researcher studied 246 drivers killed in traffic crashes over a nearly six-year period. They found that over 40 percent had active THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, in their system with blood levels far exceeding what's considered to cause impairment.

Muscle strains nearly 500 percent more costly than cuts in restaurant industry

New data from AmTrust Financial reveals that while cuts dominate restaurant injury statistics, muscle strains create the heaviest financial burden, costing nearly 500 percent more per claim than the industry's most common injuries. Falls also generate high-cost claims. The report tells a compelling story about where restaurants need to focus their safety efforts.

Video analytics and coaching pilot slashes comp costs at large-scale NYC construction sites

A $2 billion, three-year pilot program on nine large-scale New York City construction job sites showed a more than 50 percent reduction in workers comp claim frequency and a near elimination of racketeering charges when video analytics and coaching from Arrowsight were implemented.

NCCI reports: Costs of home health care, medical equipment

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) released a report analyzing trends in home health and skilled nursing services within workers comp claims. At five years post-injury, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries account for approximately 60 percent of payments for home health and skilled nursing.

It also published a report on trends in medical equipment spending trends.

People prioritize cellphones over safety

While it might seem funny the lengths people will go to for their cellphones - 54 percent would retrieve it from a portable toilet, 59 percent would jump into a pool fully clothed at a wedding, 20 percent would climb onto subway tracks - this attitude presents critical implications for workplace safety. The findings of a recent survey by Impact protection manufacturer, D30, reinforce the need for employers to establish and enforce clear, strict policies on cellphone use in the workplace.

Mental health challenges continue to grow in construction

Sixty-four percent of the more than 1,000 construction workers surveyed by design-build firm Clayco said they felt the impact of mental health challenges - up from 54 percent in 2024. Encouragingly, more construction workers have utilized mental health services or taken prescribed medications.

CVSA releases 2025 International Roadcheck results

The Roadcheck results reveal an overall vehicle out-of-service (OOS) rate of 18.1 percent (10,148 trucks) and a driver OOS rate of 5.9 percent (3,342 drivers). Top vehicle violations were brakes and tires, and top driver violations were hours of service and no commercial driver's license.

New safety resources: energy hazards in tower industry, preventing asbestos exposure, flammable gas detection systems

Tower workers: NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has published Energy Wheel Guide that uses the STCKY (stuff that can kill you) approach to help identify high-energy hazards.

Prevent asbestos exposure: The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization's free Asbestos Action Navigator provides practical, step-by-step pathways to prevent asbestos exposure, document exposure history, and access care management resources.

Video on flammable gas detection systems: The Chemical Safety Board video highlights how flammable gas detection systems can help prevent serious incidents by warning operators about unintentional releases.

CMS physician fee schedule updates effective January 1, 2026

States that base their workers comp fee schedules on the CMS Physician Fee Schedule may adopt these new adjustments and the net impact on costs will vary by state and the specific mix of services in each state's fee schedule. For more information.

State News

California

• The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has issued a Notice of Public Hearing on December 19 for proposed evidence-based update and adoption to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS).
• Total disability benefits will increase nearly five percent next year to match the rise in the state's average weekly wage, according to the Workers Compensation Institute.
• The Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau released the annual study of regional differences in claim characteristics.

Florida

• Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky approved a 6.9 percent rate decrease for policies incepting on or after January 1.

Michigan

• Legislators are considering a bill package in the House (HB 5177-5191) and a major reform bill in the Senate (SB 1079) that would significantly impact workers compensation. Business groups have opposed the proposals due to the potential to increase employers' costs.

Missouri

• Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) announced that workers compensation rates will increase slightly in 2026: Proposed average changes are: Manufacturing: +2.9 percent, Contracting: +0.3 percent, Office & Clerical: +2.1 percent, Goods & Services: +0.4 percent, Miscellaneous: +1.8 percent.

Minnesota

• The December edition of Campus Compact, the newsletter for workers compensation professionals, is available online and includes updates on personnel changes, new requirements for zero estimated exposure and wrap-up policies, reports on heat-related claims, PTSD claims, important work comp related court decisions, and more.

Pennsylvania

• Effective October 30, 2025, Act No. 121, Workers' Compensation Act-Compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury, eliminates the requirement that first responder trauma must be due to an "abnormal working condition." This makes it much easier to receive benefits for mental health related injuries.

Wisconsin

• Lawmakers are considering comprehensive workers compensation legislation, Assembly Bill 651, which would raise benefit levels, expand medical and mental health coverage, update claim procedures, and clarify statute-of-limitations rules. The bill reflects a rare bipartisan consensus, emerging from a year-long negotiation by the Workers Compensation Advisory Council. More information.