Claims

Q1 2026 Natural Catastrophe Losses Fall Well Below Average, Leaving Insurers in Strong Position

Global insured losses from natural disasters totaled $20 billion in the first quarter of 2026 — 26% below the 10-year average — according to Gallagher Re’s latest Natural Catastrophe and Climate Report.

Medical Malpractice Claim Severity Escalating as Social Inflation Drives Casualty Costs Higher

Air Ambulance Costs in Workers’ Comp Surged More Than 60% Over the Past Decade

Social Media Addiction’s Liability Potential

Workplace Assaults Rose 5.3% Annually Over the Past Decade, With Health Care Bearing the Brunt

Recently in Claims

Toxic Tornado

When a nuclear reactor melts down due to a powerful tornado, deadly contamination rains down on a metropolitan area.

Legal Spotlight

A look at the latest decisions affecting the industry.

Paying for Detox

The opioid epidemic is addressed by detoxification programs.

It Happened at Work, or Not!

A serial enzyme study nails down the time of a heart attack.

Double Duty

The most effective mitigation strategy is one that addresses existing claims and medical costs while simultaneously striving to prevent new injuries or catch them early.

Risk Management Safari – PIDAT Time

Post-injury drug and alcohol testing of employees — or PIDAT — can help companies support safe work behavior and successfully challenge claims.

Practitioners Consider Practical Applications of Medical Marijuana

Some evidence indicates medical marijuana may be useful to treat pain, but the workers’ comp system is not yet equipped to handle the issue on a large-scale basis.

Southwest Emphasizes Teamwork in Workers’ Comp Services

To discover and mitigate adverse claims trends, Southwest Airline’s workers’ comp program manager fosters cooperation.

High Levels of Worker Stress Erode Workplace Safety

American workers increasingly report feeling stressed, a condition that can erode safety and drive injuries.

Claimant Pleads the Fifth, Wins Benefits

Refusal to confirm immigration status is not enough to prove an injured worker illegal and stop benefits.

Indemnity Claims Up for Calif. Private Self-Insured Employers

While medical-only claims are declining for private self-insured companies in California, indemnity claim frequency has seen the biggest jump in 10 years.

Workers’ Comp Docket

Significant workers’ comp legal decisions from around the country.

Down for the Count

Insurance payouts may help take some of the sting out of the loss of two Yankee star pitchers.

Little Progress Reducing Shoulder Claims

Workplace shoulder injuries are challenging workers’ comp payers, especially as the nation’s workforce ages.

Recall Mitigation Relies on Risk Managers

Ineffective risk management can cause missteps in recall events that cost millions of dollars.

Reports Show Little Change in Opioid Prescribing, Treating Behaviors

Opioid prescribing rates have grown in Michigan, but remain unchanged in most other states, according to the latest report.

Is a Subcontractor an Employee Entitled to Benefits?

A district court found that intent was the most important factor in determining whether a subcontractor qualified as an employee, but an appeals court disagreed.

Go the Extra Mile

Focusing on the person behind the workers’ comp claim is the right thing to do — not just for the employee but for the business.

Social Media as a Tool in Claims Investigation

It’s important to be well-versed on the way risk managers can mine social media for information.

WC Payers More Likely To Face Reimbursement Requirements for Pot

A New Mexico appeals court decision ordering an employer and insurer to reimburse an injured worker for his medical marijuana is believed to be the first such court ruling in the nation.