5 Lessons Learned from WCI 2026

Every year, the Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI)’s Annual Conference connects professionals from across the industry, offering a broad look at the issues shaping workers’ compensation, occupational safety, and health. With more than 150 educational sessions, this year’s conference highlighted several themes that may influence how employers, carriers, claims professionals, and risk managers are preparing for the future.

“WCI continues to provide a valuable forum for examining the challenges and opportunities facing the workers’ compensation industry,” said Mark Walls, Chief Marketing Officer at Safety National. “The trends discussed this year reinforce how important it is for organizations to stay agile, invest in their people, and think strategically about evolving workplace risks.”

These five takeaways cover some of the emerging themes from WCI 2026.

1. A massive talent gap continues to upend the industry.

Last year, nearly 25% of employees working in insurance were 55 or older, whereas the 20-24 age group represented only 4% of the workforce. Industry retirements may remove significant institutional knowledge, making upskilling and succession planning important priorities. Ongoing turnover rates can also compound the challenge, and finding qualified workers to replace departing employees remains an issue. Younger workers may also have different employer expectations, including development opportunities, flexibility, well-being, financial security, and meaningful work. Organizations that do not address these expectations may continue to face challenges attracting and retaining talent.

2. The complexities of mental health are impacting the workforce.

Mental health considerations can affect workforce attendance, productivity, employee interactions, leave-of-absence requests, engagement, and performance, particularly when not addressed through appropriate support and management practices. These conditions may also complicate recovery and return-to-work efforts, especially in occupations with frequent exposure to trauma or workplace violence. This makes early support, clear treatment pathways, and individualized assessment increasingly important.

3. AI can support stronger business operations when implemented responsibly.

While organizations may vary in their readiness to adopt AI, AI tools can offer advantages for organizational efficiency when implemented with appropriate governance, oversight, and controls. AI may strengthen analysis by helping identify patterns, trends, and potential risks across large volumes of data. It can also improve operational efficiency by automating routine tasks, streamlining workflows, and helping employees make faster, more informed decisions, while preserving appropriate human review. Because AI presents both opportunities and legal and compliance considerations, organizations may benefit from evaluating its use through a thoughtful risk-management framework.

4. Liability exposures are an ever-evolving risk management challenge.

Many public and private organizations are navigating a more complex liability environment, although applicable standards, obligations, and protections may vary by entity type and jurisdiction. Traditional risks that involving premises, products, fleets, and third parties are increasingly intersecting with emerging concerns, including AI, data privacy, and workplace violence. Risk managers should periodically reassess whether organizational controls are appropriately designed to address these risks. This includes contracts, internal policies, and organizational accountability.

5. Limited access to medical care is disproportionately affecting rural workers.

Access to healthcare remains a challenge for many communities, with rural workers often facing particular barriers. Hospital closures and provider shortages can reduce access to care, especially in rural areas, where care options may already be limited. Injured workers may lack access to appropriate specialists, which can delay treatment and worsen outcomes. Although the impact of urban hospital closures may vary by market, rural hospital closures can result in longer travel times to emergency care, which can result in injured workers underutilizing immediate care.