Surging Cumulative Trauma Claims Driving Frequency, Costs

A surge in cumulative trauma claims is reshaping California workers' compensation trends, contributing to higher claim frequency, rising frictional costs and renewed pressure on insurer results, according to WCIRB Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary Tony Milano. Milano said Thursday during the WCIRB's annual conference that written premium, which came in around $15.6 billion for 2025, has been uncharacteristically stable over the past four years, with modest growth in employee payroll largely offsetting the effect of modest decreases in average charged rates. "I would...