Officers Often Face Out-of-Pocket Costs After Workplace Injuries

Workers’ compensation often leaves injured officers with uncovered expenses.
Many officers assume their medical bills and related costs will be fully covered, but that is often not the case.
Some long‑term needs fall outside standard workers’ compensation coverage.
As a result, officers may still face significant out‑of‑pocket costs after a workplace injury.

Idaho Supreme Court Upholds Denial of Workers’ Comp Claim in COVID‑19 Death Case

The Idaho Supreme Court recently upheld the Industrial Commission’s denial of workers’ compensation death benefits for a county employee who died from COVID‑19.
The Commission found it was not proven, on a more‑likely‑than‑not basis, that he contracted the virus at work.
Competing medical experts offered differing views on exposure timing and transmission.
The Court ruled the Commission applied the correct legal standard and its findings were supported by the evidence.

Iowa Municipalities Workers’ Compensation Association representatives told the Marshall County Board of Supervisors on January 2, 2026, that workers’ compensation claims had increased over the past year.
The rise in claims could lead to an estimated $50,000 increase in the county’s workers’ comp premiums.
IMWCA, which provides the county’s coverage, reviewed current claim trends with the board.
Officials urged the county to strengthen safety efforts to reduce future workers’ compensation losses.