Waltham, MA, March 27, 2025 – A new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) reveals that claims involving degenerative conditions and comorbidities, such as hypertension or diabetes, incur higher costs and longer temporary disability durations. The report examines claims with and without comorbidities, as well as those with single or multiple comorbid conditions.

"Degenerative and comorbid conditions often coexist with primary work-related injuries, complicating treatment and recovery, which results in increased medical payments and indemnity benefits," said Sebastian Negrusa, WCRI vice president of research. "This study emphasizes the importance of early identification and intervention to mitigate the impact of these conditions on claim costs and outcomes."

The study, Degenerative and Comorbid Conditions in Workers’ Compensation, analyzes data from 32 states and answers the following key questions:

• How common are degenerative comorbidities, such as degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, and how do they vary by injury type?
• What is the frequency of other comorbidities, including hypertension, substance use, mental health conditions, diabetes, and obesity, and how often do claims involve multiple comorbidities?
• How do comorbidities impact claim costs and the duration of temporary disability compared to claims without these conditions?

The study examines data from more than 930,000 claims with over seven days of lost time. The report includes measures on medical payments, indemnity benefits, and duration of temporary disability. The report was authored by Dongchun Wang, Randall D. Lea, and Kathryn L. Mueller.

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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