Waltham, MA, February 27, 2025 – A new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) and the International Association of Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) compares workers’ compensation regulations and benefits across U.S. states and Canadian provinces as of January 1, 2025.

“This study is a must-have for workers’ compensation professionals,” said WCRI President and CEO Ramona Tanabe. “It answers common questions about jurisdictional differences and continues to expand as new rules emerge, such as presumptions for first responders. We also provide tools for deeper research into specific areas of interest.”

In Canada and the United States, workers’ compensation is governed by sub-national legislative bodies and administrative agencies. The differences between jurisdictional laws and regulations can be subtle, and this survey helps professionals understand those differences, such as the following:

• Eligibility requirements for temporary disability benefits
• Employer vs. employee health care provider selection
• Burial allowances and dependent benefits for work-related fatalities
• Compensation differences for injuries like amputations
• Coverage for mental stress, hearing loss, and cumulative trauma
• Availability of rehabilitation benefits
• Attorney fee structures and payment sources

The study, Workers’ Compensation Laws as of January 1, 2025, builds on years of valuable work by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), which pioneered the use of standardized tables to ensure uniformity across states and consistency over time. After USDOL suspended production for budgetary reasons, WCRI and IAIABC partnered to continue publishing this important resource.

For more information or to purchase a copy, visit www.wcrinet.org. The report was authored by Karen Rothkin.

ABOUT WCRI

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization based in Waltham, MA. Organized in 1983, the Institute does not take positions on the issues it researches; rather, it provides information obtained through studies and data collection efforts, which conform to recognized scientific methods. Objectivity is further ensured through rigorous, unbiased peer review procedures. WCRI's diverse membership includes employers; insurers; governmental entities; managed care companies; health care providers; insurance regulators; state labor organizations; and state administrative agencies in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

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