What Is a Workers’ Compensation History Report?

A Workers’ Compensation History Report provides a detailed summary of an individual’s previous workplace injury claims. While the specific details available may vary depending on state laws, these reports generally include key information such as:

  • Date of the injury

  • Employer at the time of the incident

  • Type of injury and affected body part

  • Amount of time missed from work

  • Whether the injury led to any job-related disability

Please note: Workers’ compensation claim records are not available in some regions, including:

  • Canada

  • Georgia

  • Massachusetts

  • Michigan

  • Texas

  • Vermont


What Is Workers’ Compensation?

Workers’ compensation is an employer-funded program that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees who are injured on the job. In most cases, when employees accept these benefits, they forfeit the right to pursue legal action against their employer regarding the injury.


How Do We Obtain a Workers’ Comp History Report?

Our reports are compiled using government records such as “Reports of Injury” and “Contested Claim Summaries” from court filings. In certain states, additional privately submitted data may also be included, giving a more complete picture of a candidate’s claim history.


Why Is This Information Valuable?

Understanding an applicant’s past workers' compensation claims can provide insights that help safeguard your workforce and reduce liability. A Workers' Compensation History Report can:

  • Identify repeated or suspicious injury claims

  • Highlight any claims-related omissions on the candidate’s job application

  • Reveal potential safety concerns or risk factors associated with the applicant

  • Support more informed hiring decisions-especially for physically demanding roles


How Should Employers Use This Information?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), workers’ compensation claims are considered confidential medical information. This means you may only request or consider this information after making a conditional job offer-not during initial screenings or interviews.

To remain compliant with the ADA:

  • Do not ask about prior injuries, disability status, or compensation claims during the interview process.

  • You may review a Workers’ Compensation History Report only after extending a formal job offer.


Final Thoughts

A Workers’ Compensation Claims Report can be a helpful part of a comprehensive pre-employment screening strategy. When used responsibly and legally, it can help you minimize workplace risk while remaining compliant with federal employment laws.

At background-check.com, we ensure all our reports meet state regulations and ADA guidelines-helping you hire smarter, safer, and with confidence.