In a case with widespread implications, the National Labor Relations Board ruled Wednesday that Northwestern University football players are employees of the university and should be allowed to decide whether they want to unionize.

Texas workers compensation medical payments rose 8% year over year in 2011, driven partly by care provided to injured workers outside of hospitals, the Workers Compensation Research Institute says in a new report.

Massachusetts state agencies have reached an agreement with the state’s Workers Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau to prevent a 7.7% increase in average workers comp rates, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance said.