Blog - Arrow Mutual Liability Insurance Company

The Future of Workers’ Compensation: Emerging Issues for 2026 and How Arrow Mutual Is Responding

As we head into 2026, the workers’ compensation landscape in New England is evolving quickly. A wave of legislative changes, rising medical and pharmacy costs, growing mental-health claim activity, and shifting claim dynamics mean carriers, employers, and TPAs must adapt to protect workers and control loss costs. We have put together the most important trends New England stakeholders should watch. Plus, how Arrow Mutual’s policies and programs are designed to respond. 1. Mental-health and PTSD claims will grow (and cost more) Mental-health and trauma-related claims are expanding across the country and are a major cost driver for carriers and employers. These claims tend to be more complex, last longer, and require multidisciplinary care. This pushes reserves and extends claim duration.

December 19, 2025 No Comments

Seasonal Hiring and Increased Injury Risk: What Employers Need to Know

Every year, as businesses ramp up for the holiday season, seasonal hiring becomes essential. Retailers, warehouses, hospitality, delivery services, and manufacturing environments often bring on temporary workers to keep up with demand. While this surge in staffing helps operations run smoothly, it also introduces a heightened risk. Especially when it comes to workplace injuries. At Arrow Mutual, we consistently see year-end trends that highlight the need for employers to proactively manage seasonal workforce safety. Understanding why these risks increase (and how to mitigate them) can make a measurable difference in preventing claims, protecting workers, and controlling workers’ compensation costs. Why Injury Risk Increases During Seasonal Hiring Workplace injury risk naturally rises when seasonal workers enter a fast-paced environment with limited

December 5, 2025 No Comments

Navigating Regulatory Change: Understanding State-by-State Variations in Workers’ Compensation

As we approach the end of the year, employers and insurers alike find themselves in what can only be described as the season of regulatory change. Across the country, state legislatures and workers’ compensation boards are updating benefit levels, revising medical reimbursement schedules, and refining compliance requirements. For organizations with operations in multiple states (or just one), keeping pace with these developments is essential to maintaining compliance and managing claim costs effectively. A Shifting Regulatory Change Landscape Workers’ compensation is governed at the state level, which means rules can vary significantly depending on where your employees work. Over the past year, several states have implemented or proposed changes to their workers’ compensation statutes and administrative rules. Some states have increased

November 21, 2025 No Comments

The Aging Workforce & Comorbidities: Navigating a New Era in Workers’ Compensation

Across the country, the workforce is getting older. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees aged 55 and older now make up nearly one-fourth of the labor force (a figure that continues to grow each year). As this demographic shift continues, it’s reshaping how employers and workers’ compensation carriers approach injury prevention, claims management, and return-to-work strategies to adapt to the aging workforce. With age often comes experience; but also a higher likelihood of chronic health conditions. Many older workers live with one or more comorbidities such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease. While these conditions don’t prevent individuals from contributing meaningfully in the workplace, they can significantly influence recovery times and claim outcomes when an injury

November 7, 2025 No Comments

Preparing Your Business for Winter in New England: Safety, OSHA Compliance, and Workers’ Comp Risk Reduction

Winter in New England is beautiful; but for business owners, it also brings serious challenges. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and unpredictable storms can create hazardous conditions for employees both indoors and outdoors. For employers, the colder months are a critical time to focus on safety, minimize workplace risks and ensure compliance with OSHA standards. Doing so not only protects your team but also helps control workers’ compensation claims and costs. Winter Hazards That Put Workers at Risk From Maine to Connecticut, New England winters are notoriously tough. Businesses face common risks such as: Every one of these hazards has the potential to lead to workers’ compensation claims, lost productivity, and, most importantly, serious harm to your employees. OSHA provides specific

October 24, 2025 No Comments

Don’t Wait: Why End-of-Year Policy Renewals Matter (with Arrow Mutual in Mind)

As the year winds down across New England, business owners are juggling holiday operations, finalizing accounts, and planning for the upcoming year. Amid this flurry, renewing your workers’ compensation policy might slip down the priority list. Yet, for any business with employees, especially in Massachusetts and surrounding states, getting that renewal done ahead of December 31 is crucial. And if you’re considering or already working with Arrow Mutual, there are even more reasons to act early. Workers’ Compensation Renewals with Arrow Mutual Workers’ compensation is required by law in every New England state. But the rules, deadlines, and carriers differ from state to state. A lapse in coverage can leave your business exposed to regulatory penalties, fines, or even orders

October 10, 2025 No Comments