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Mental health claim frequency rises 47% in comp: WCRI - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2026 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Mental health claim frequency rises 47% in comp: WCRI by Louise Esola Claims Disputes , Workers Comp Coverage , Workplace Safety Sep 29, 2026 Mental health claims’ share of paid workers compensation claims rose 47% from 2015 to 2024, with the rate more than doubling in health care, according to a Workers Compensation Research Institute study released Tuesday. Despite the increase, mental health claims remained uncommon, rising from approximately 0.23 per 100 paid claims to 0.34 during the period, the Waltham, Massachusetts-based institute found. Among claims involving more than seven days away from work, mental health claim frequency increased 40%. The report examined claims across 31 states for injuries occurring from October 2014 through September 2024. It focused on cases in which a mental health condition was the primary occupational injury, excluding those in which mental health problems developed following a primary physical injury. The findings come amid expanding state coverage for work-related mental health conditions, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder among first responders. The report cited reviews showing roughly 40 states permitted at least some mental health claims without an accompanying physical injury. WCRI’s inventory identified statutory rebuttable PTSD presumptions in nine states as of Jan. 1, 2025: California, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Those provisions primarily covered first responders and related public safety occupations, with eligibility varying by state. In health care, mental health claim frequency increased from 0.19 to 0.42 per 100 paid claims. Rates also rose substantially in public safety and transportation and utilities. Clerical and professional workers consistently had the highest rate, but experienced little overall change. California had the highest frequency among study states, at approximately 1.1 mental health claims per 100 paid claims over the study period. Rates were also higher among women, higher-wage workers and employees with longer job tenure. About 40% of paid mental health claims involved more than seven days of lost time. For that group, average indemnity payments at 24 months were $21,206, compared with $16,013 for workers comp claims overall with comparable lost time. Average medical payments were lower: $13,316 versus $16,814. The cost comparisons were not adjusted for differences in wages, injury severity or other claim characteristics. Common diagnoses included PTSD, adjustment disorders, other stress reactions and anxiety. Treatment included psychological evaluations, psychotherapy, prescription medications and general medical care. Researchers cautioned that rising claim frequency does not establish a corresponding increase in underlying mental health injuries. Changes in reporting, awareness, coverage rules and claims composition could also contribute. The study did not isolate the effects of expanded coverage or PTSD presumptions. 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