A recent workers’ compensation rate decision reflects a shift many employers are beginning to experience. Overall injury counts may be stabilizing, but the claims that occur are becoming more severe and more expensive. Higher wages, larger individual losses and more complex medical treatment are driving costs upward. Consistent supervision, immediate reporting and firm return-to-work expectations remain essential to keeping claims from growing into long-term liabilities.

“Every delayed report and every missed safety conversation shows up later as a bigger claim and a bigger premium,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “The system rewards employers who act fast, document everything and hold people accountable. Waiting or treating safety as optional is how small incidents turn into long-term exposures that follow a company for years.” 2/24/2026