Since first published in 2018, NCCI’s Court Case Update has provided stakeholders with important and timely information on relevant workers compensation (WC) decisions that have impacted and shaped the system, reporting on over 300 cases to date.
In 2025, NCCI’s Legal Team monitored and reported on court decisions that considered familiar topics such as exclusive remedy, COVID-19, first responder presumptions, marijuana, and other specific state developments.
This report groups, by topic or region, all cases reported in 2025.
Exclusive remedy—providing immunity to employers from employee tort suits for work-related injuries covered by WC—has been a closely watched topic among WC stakeholders for several years. In 2025, we reported on decisions addressing applicability and exceptions to exclusive remedy.... view more
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With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, NCCI began monitoring COVID-19 cases that could have implications for the WC system. The cases reported on to date, including in 2025, have dealt with issues surrounding compensability from the alleged contraction of COVID-19 at work, or the application of exclusive remedy where employees contract COVID-19 and sue their employers in tort.... view more
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In the last decade, many states have enacted laws that create WC presumptions that certain injuries or diseases suffered by first responders arise in the course and scope of employment. In 2025, NCCI reported on the following cases that considered issues surrounding the application of first responder presumption laws.... view more
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Marijuana legalization at the state and federal levels, and the potential implications for WC, has been a hot topic for several years. Considerations related to legalization of marijuana are likely to be ongoing in 2026 as stakeholders monitor whether the federal government will move forward with the reclassification of marijuana from schedule I to schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. In 2025, NCCI reported on an appellate court decision addressing the issue of WC reimbursement for CBD oil.... view more
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This year, courts have reviewed questions related to attorney fees in WC cases. Some of these cases have considered the application of attorney fee statutes and their constitutionality.... view more
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Across the states, courts remained engaged in cases that could impact the WC system and its stakeholders. These cases addressed issues such as benefit calculations, jurisdictional and procedural requirements, and payments to medical providers, among others.... view more
Northeastern Zone Cases
Southeastern Zone Cases
Midwestern Zone Cases
Western Zone Cases
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For more information on other cases monitored by NCCI's Legal Division, visit previous Court Case Updates and
Court Case Insights under the
Legal section of
INSIGHTS on
ncci.com.
This article is provided solely as a reference tool to be used for informational purposes only. The information in this article shall not be construed or interpreted as providing legal or any other advice. Use of this article for any purpose other than as set forth herein is strictly prohibited.