This study addresses how the massive slowdown of economic activity early in the pandemic impacted workers’ compensation, and to what extent COVID-19 claims have arisen in the workers’ compensation system. 

The report will shed some light on the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers’ compensation and help policymakers and stakeholders track changes in key dimensions of the effect of COVID-19 on workers’ compensation.

The study analyzed claims for private sector workers and local public employees covered by workers’ compensation with paid medical and/or indemnity benefits in 27 states by comparing the first two quarters of 2020 and 2019 to understand the early effects of the pandemic on workers’ compensation.

The 27 states in the study are Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The Early Impact of COVID-19 on Workers’ Compensation Claim Composition. Olesya Fomenko and John Ruser. January 2021. WC-21-01.

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