National – National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) announced an upcoming convention as well as a recording of its webinar:
- NCCI will host its Annual Insights Symposium (AIS) 2025. The convention will take place at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida on May 12–14. Registration is now open, if interested learn more here.
- NCCI released the recording of its Multi-Bureau Webinar and Report on Mega Claims- which are claims with reported losses exceeding $2 million. Although these claims represent less than 0.1% of total workers’ compensation claims, they account for over 2% of total loss dollars, amounting to more than $1 billion annually. The webinar/report addressed several key points, including the increasing frequency of mega claims, particularly in construction. Generally, the distribution of mega claims remains relatively stable, but the shares of lower back and sprain injuries are decreasing over time. Injuries from motor vehicle accidents tend to be more costly; despite representing 5% of indemnity claims, they account for 33% of claims exceeding $10 million. To listen to the webinar click here, if interested in reading the report, click here.
Enlyte released a Cold as Ice: Winter’s Impact on Worker’s Comp Claims podcast. This podcast focuses on how cold weather affects employees as well as measures to prevent related injuries.
Safety National is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, February 20, from 11 AM – 12 PM CT to discuss managing catastrophic workers’ compensation claims. The session will cover the most frequent catastrophic injuries, the importance of prompt reporting, and the process of handling these complex claims. To register and learn more, click here.
Arizona – The 2025/2026 Arizona Physicians’ and Pharmaceutical Fee Schedule Proposal was posted on the Industrial Commission of Arizona’s website. This proposal is set to take effect on May 1, 2025. The Commission will hold a stakeholder meeting on February 13, 2025. If interested, people can submit comments to mro@azica.gov.
Montana – HB 197 passed the House and was sent to the Senate this week. If passed, HB 197 would terminate temporary disability benefits by operation of law when an injured worker is released to full duty before or upon reaching maximum medical improvement. Specifically, the bill introduces new guidelines for releasing injured employees back to work. It mandates thorough medical evaluations and written certification from a medical professional confirming the employee’s fitness. If the employee cannot return to their previous role, employers must provide modified duties. Regular reviews of the employee’s medical status are required, and employers must comply with these guidelines to support the employee’s safe return to work.
Texas – Texas Mutual Insurance has released their 2024 Workplace Safety Trends Report. The report reveals a 13% decrease in severe injuries compared to 2023, with construction remaining a high-risk industry. However, the hospitality sector saw a 41% increase in claims, and there was no reduction in burns or scalds from heat or cold. To learn more, check out this article.
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