Workers’ compensation is a field of law that is particularly suited to the application of artificial intelligence, especially in the processing and analyzing of data. Current artificial intelligent (AI) tools most relevant to this area of practice involve data processing, case management and fraud prevention. While some of these applications may not be immediately available, it is likely they will emerge over the course of the next five to 10 years.

There are three primary reasons why workers’ compensation is a great fit for AI. First, the life cycle of a workers’ compensation claim in Pennsylvania generates numerous reports, documents, and records that are not necessarily produced in other fields of law. This yields an untapped fountain of data and metadata that can be analyzed to better understand the outcome of a claim. Second, all decisions in workers’ compensation litigation are made by judges; there is no jury of peers, thus lessening the chances of unpredictable outcomes. Finally, the nature of workers’ compensation practice is governed by the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act and Regulations. This affords more structure than some other fields of law that may rely more heavily upon the common-law doctrines. Obviously, there are precedential decisions interpreting the act that shed light on the facts and the applicable law, but overall the practice is more structured.