What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation was the country’s first social insurance program. It provides funding for medical care, rehabilitation, and cash benefits for workers who are injured on the job or suffer a work-related illness. Each state has its own workers’ compensation program. Total benefits paid and total employer costs vary widely across states, but much of the variation can be attributed to interstate differences in employment and wages.
By the Numbers
Academy Resources
- Report
This is the Academy’s 27th annual report on workers’ compensation benefits, costs, and coverage.
- Report
The 26th annual workers’ compensation report produced by the Academy provides the only comprehensive data on workers’ compensation benefits, coverage, and employer costs for the nation, the states, the District of Columbia, and federal programs.
- Report
The 25th annual workers’ compensation report produced by the Academy provides the only comprehensive data on workers’ compensation benefits, coverage, and employer costs for the nation, the states, the District of Columbia, and federal programs.
- Press Release
The National Academy of Social Insurance issued its 25th annual report on Workers’ Compensation Benefits, Costs, and Coverage – 2020 Data which contains updated data for 2016 – 2020.
- Toolkit
Drawing upon the work of multiple Academy Task Forces, this resource makes key findings and policy options accessible to advocates for economic security, state and federal policymakers, and journalists covering relevant issues.
- Fact Sheet
How did the U.S. social insurance system perform during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic? Could we have done better?
- Report
This Workers’ Compensation Issue Spotlight explains how the federal Black Lung Program provides benefits to workers with a variety of debilitating lung conditions resulting from work in coal mines.