Things you should know

WCRI finds rising claim costs across country

Indemnity benefits and medical costs per workers compensation claim grew in most states since 2021, according to research reports released by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). Examining cost trends across 18 states since 2018, representing more than 60 percent of claims costs nationwide, the median increase in overall costs per claim was 2.9 percent, with the highest increases in Arkansas, New Jersey, Kentucky, Maine, and Pennsylvania. Notably, the mean increase for indemnity costs post-pandemic was 8.6 percent, with the highest increases in Kentucky, Iowa, Maine, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The report pegged the "persistent drivers" of these increases as longer durations of disability, lump-sum settlements, higher hospital outpatient and facility costs, and rises in benefit delivery expenses, including medical management costs and litigation.

Updated Medicare Set-Aside guides released

• The updated Self-Administration and You: A Beneficiary Toolkit for Workers' Compensation Medicare Set-Aside Arrangements (WCMSAs).
• The WCMSA Reference Guide version 4.3

USCIS releases new Form I-9

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new edition of the Form I-9 dated 01/20/25, on April 3. The new form contains minor changes in language and an updated privacy notice and has an expiration date of May 31, 2027. Employers may continue using prior editions of the I-9 form until their expiration date.

CPWR develops new guidelines for pre-task planning in construction

Researchers from CPWR, The Center for Construction Research and Training, have developed comprehensive guidelines to make pre-task planning more effective and consistent. The study was published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

For a summary of key findings.

Roadcheck to target hours of service violations

Law enforcement officers across North America will be checking commercial truck and bus drivers' compliance with federal hours-of-service rules during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's 38th annual International Roadcheck. Scheduled for May 13-15, enforcementwill also include inspections of braking systems, lights, tires, and other vehicle equipment. More information

AFL-CIO releases death on the job report

The 34th annual Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect report, is based on 2023 data from several sources.

Report highlights mental health trends and support programs in the workplace

'Workforce State of Mind' by Headspace discusses the latest trends in mental health at work and how to support your employees.

Dirty dozen list

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) released its annual Dirty Dozen list, spotlighting employers that endanger workers and communities.

Free machine guarding training video

A 20-minute free training video created by the Kentucky Labor Cabinet's Division of Education and Training focuses on effective machine guarding, OSHA requirements, and tips to recognize common hazards and solutions.

Work zone safety: New resource for tower workers

New guidance from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association outlines five key safety elements for communication tower industry workers who operate in and around roadway work zones.

CSB releases Volume 2 of incident reports

The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released Volume 2 of its incident reports. Volume 2 covers 25 serious chemical incidents in 14 states: Arkansas, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.

New training program on chemical safety for nail salon workers

A free, 45-minute module training program, developed in cooperation with the University of Michigan, Texas A&M University and the Michigan Healthy Nail Salon Cooperative, focuses on increasing nail salon workers' knowledge of chemical safety on the job.

State News

California

• The Governing Committee for the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) voted 8-1 to recommend increasing the advisory pure premium rate by 11.2 percent for policies incepting on or after Sept. 1. The insurance commissioner has rejected each of the last five recommended increases.
• The Department of Industrial Relations' annual report on the Independent Medical Review (IMR) program, shows that slightly more denials were overturned (12.7 percent), but they are still a relatively rare occurrence.
• The Division of Workers Compensation (DWC) posted a reminder that applications for Return-to-Work Supplement Program benefits will be denied if they don't meet certain requirements.

Florida

• According to a WCRI study, wage growth accelerated in 2022 and then moderated in 2023, cooling the increases in indemnity benefits and resulting in growth of 4.5 percent per year in total costs per claim.

Illinois

• The Workers' Compensation Commission issued a notice to attorneys and all self-represented litigants prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence and recording devices during proceedings.

Indiana

• Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill prohibiting state agencies from using experience rating (MOD) to preclude a business from submitting a bid for a contract.

Minnesota

• On March 1, 2025, the independent contractor test changed from 9 to 14 elements. To help employers with compliance, new materials, FAQs and a presentation about the law are available.
• The April 30 edition of Campus Connect, the monthly electronic publication providing workers compensation-related news, updates and announcement is available.
• The Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) will hold a webinar on May 21: Workplace laws for small-business owners: Wage requirements, overtime rules and employee protections.
• Learn about upcoming Dual-Training Pipeline events and find resources for employment-based training at events including a Speaker Series session about practical techniques for using artificial intelligence, an All-Industry Forum, and a Dual-Training Pipeline 101 webinar.
• Governor Tim Walz signeda bill that mandates open-water scuba certification for aquatic plant removal companies, effective October 2025.

Virginia

• The Workers' Compensation Commission announced new rates:
  • Effective July 1, the maximum compensation rate will be $1,463.10
  • Effective July 1, the minimum compensation rate will be $365.78
  • Effective October 1, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) rate will be 2.85 percent
• According to a WCRI study, the 7.4 percent average growth in total costs per claim since 2021 was driven by increasing indemnity benefits and benefit delivery expenses per claim but partially offset by declining medical payments per claim.