State Worker Comp Summary Fact Dashboard

Although there is no central public source for workers’ compensation data in the U.S., each state has a bureau that collects some claims information for its private industry, state, and local government employers. The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) has developed standardized reports of injury used by many state bureaus. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) and other organizations also collect claims information from employers in many states.

The dashboards on this page provide an overview of WC facts for each state. The first dashboard provides some basics about each state’s regulations, including the requirements for employer reporting of claims to state bureaus and a summary of income benefits. The second dashboard provides more state information on the NCCI statistical plan, IAIABC standardized reporting, and participation in NIOSH surveillance programs.

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Dashboard Notes

U.S. States Workers’ Comp Program Basics

Required Employer Reporting of Injuries, Illnesses and Deaths to State Workers’ Compensation Bureaus

╫ Medical Treatment Beyond 1^st Aid Reported: If this is marked in the affirmative, employers are required to report all claims that result in medical treatment beyond first aid to the workers’ compensation bureau. (In SC, all claims with >$500 in medical expenses must be reported.)^1,2(Chart XII, see caveats on p 106 –109).

**Indemnity Only (Min. No. Days): Employers are required to report all claims for occupational injuries and illnesses for workers missing work for a period of time in excess of these values.  All deaths due to occupational injuries or illnesses must also be reported.^1,2(Chart XII, see caveats on p 106 –109).

Income Benefits

*Waiting Period for Income Benefits (Days): The minimum number of days away from work to qualify for income benefits (also known as indemnity payments) in each state.^1,2(Chart IX, see caveats pp. 76 – 83).

°Retroactive Period (Days): If the injured worker is away from work for a number of days in excess of the retroactive period, the worker qualifies for income benefits (indemnity payments) for the waiting period.^1,2(Chart IX, see caveats pp. 76 – 83 in reference).

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U.S. States Workers’ Comp Administrative Information

Claims Reporting Standards and Systems

IAIABC Claims Standard: Many states use the standard first report of injury (FROI) and subsequent report of injury (SROI) developed through the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) by the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC). Three release versions of this form are now in use across the participating states. Please Visit IAIABC's website below for further info: http://www.iaiabc.org/iaiabc/EDI_Claims.asp

NCCI Statistical Plans: Another workers’ compensation record system widely used in the U.S. is the Unit Statistical Report that is provided by insurers to NCCI and other workers’ compensation data collection organizations. These reports are initially valued at 18 months after policy effective dates and include premium and loss information on a state basis. Open claims are valued and reported annually for up to 10 years to track loss development. NCCI’s Statistical Plan for Workers Compensation and Employers Liability is applicable in these states.

Using WC Claims for Prevention

NIOSH Supported Surveillance State: For over 25 years, NIOSH has provided technical and financial assistance to states to develop and/or enhance their occupational safety and health (OSH) surveillance capacity. An important component of the NIOSH Surveillance Research Program is the multi-year funding opportunities for state OSH surveillance and state workers’ compensation surveillance. Inputs for these programs include state OSH surveillance activities and datasets. Anticipated program outputs include tracking the incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses, identifying trends, understanding risk factors, recognizing new and emerging problems, and recommendations for prevention and interventions for the protection of workers. In FY2015, the OSH state surveillance portfolio grew from 23 to 26 states and there is a funding opportunity program specifically for workers’ compensation surveillance. See for more information about activities associated with each funded state program.

Download Dataset

• Worker Comp State Facts 2015 [CSV - 10 KB]

References

1. Utterback DF, Meyers AR, Wurzelbacher SJ. 2014. Workers’ Compensation Insurance: A Primer for Public Health. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Cincinnati, OH. DHHS (NIOSH) Pub No. 2014–110, p 14–15
2. 2015 Chamber of Commerce Workers’ Compensation Laws