Wisconsin’s average indemnity benefit per claim grew nearly 10% in 2022, fueled by large growth in the average duration of temporary disability per claim, according to a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

Nevertheless, the duration of temporary disability per claim in Wisconsin was tied with Iowa for the lowest of the 17 states in WCRI’s study.

“Wisconsin’s growth in indemnity was driven by growth in metrics like wages, but mostly by the duration of temporary disability,” said Sebastian Negrusa, vice president of research of WCRI. “Duration of temporary disability in Wisconsin grew by almost an entire week, but the average duration of disability in the state remained shorter than in most states — reigning in indemnity costs.”

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WCRI defines indemnity benefits as mainly benefits for temporary disability (total and partial), permanent partial disability benefits and benefits paid in the form of a lump-sum settlement. All lump-sum settlement payments (indemnity and medical) are reported as indemnity payments.

The institute’s study covered injury dates between 2017 and 2022 and payments through the end of March 2023. It found that indemnity benefits per claim in Wisconsin were $12,658 per claim.

“Comparing Wisconsin and other Midwest states shows that the average indemnity benefit per claim was slightly lower than those in Indiana and Michigan, but substantially lower than in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota,” the report said, noting that all Midwest states have different benefit structures and system features related to temporary total and permanent partial disability benefits.

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System features designed to encourage a faster return to work for workers are the main reason for lower indemnity benefits in Wisconsin, the study said. Other states included in the study are Arkansas, California, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

WCRI’s study also found that higher prices paid compared to the typical study state kept Wisconsin’s medical payments per claim among the highest of the study states. The report, titled “CompScope™ Benchmarks for Wisconsin, 24th Edition,” was authored by Evelina Radeva.

Visit the WCRI website to access the full report.

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Wisconsin

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Public safety leaders in northeast Wisconsin welcomed Sen. Tammy Baldwin to the Green Bay Police Department on Wednesday.

Sen. Baldwin met with law enforcement to discuss the fentanyl and opioid crisis in the state and the work that is being done to combat the issue.

Baldwin presented issues contributing to the crisis, such as the supply chain coming from other countries, and gave resources for public safety leaders to use in the line of duty.

The number of overdoses and deaths related to opioids saw an increase across the state in 2023.

Sen. Baldwin says she is looking to provide more protective and preventative resources for public safety.

“Our law enforcement and first responders are on the front lines every day fighting the fentanyl crisis in Wisconsin,” said Sen. Baldwin. “I’m committed to making it easier for our first responders to get the training they need to administer life-saving overdose reversal drugs like Narcan.”

Sen. Baldwin also called for more detection equipment and personnel at the southern border to reduce the flow of synthetic fentanyl into the country.

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• A house explosion occurred in southern Wisconsin just outside Middleton around 11 p.m. on Tuesday.
• Authorities believe that the explosion triggered ammunition stored inside the home.
• One person died in the explosion, and the county medical examiner’s office is investigating the incident.

One person died when a house exploded in southern Wisconsin and authorities believe gunfire reported by neighbors happened when flames set off ammunition stored inside the home, police said.

Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters responded about 11 p.m. Tuesday after the house exploded just outside the city of Middleton, said Elise Schaffer, a spokesperson for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.

One person was killed and the county medical examiner’s office is investigating, Schaffer said Wednesday.

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Images posted by local media show the ruined home in flames after the explosion, which left a window and other debris scattered nearby.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, she said. Middleton is about 6 miles northwest of Madison.

Schaffer said she had no additional information to release Wednesday morning.

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The sheriff’s office said in a news release that the fire “may have set off ammunition inside the home,” leading some nearby residents to report the sound of gunfire.