Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues from Services:
Revenues before reimbursements	$ 1,170,385	$ 1,142,851	$ 1,163,445
Reimbursements	71,135	74,112	89,985
Total Revenues	1,241,520	1,216,963	1,253,430
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of services provided, before reimbursements	869,217	840,702	846,442
Reimbursements	71,135	74,112	89,985
Total costs of services	940,352	914,814	936,427
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	241,602	237,880	232,307
Corporate interest expense, net of interest income of $600, $781, and $768, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively	8,383	6,031	6,423
Goodwill impairment charges	49,314	0	0
Restructuring and special charges	34,395	0	0
Total Costs and Expenses	1,274,046	1,158,725	1,175,157
Other Income	753	1,650	2,829
(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes	(31,773)	59,888	81,102
Provision for Income Taxes	13,832	28,780	29,766
Net (Loss) Income	(45,605)	31,108	51,336
Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	117	(484)	(358)
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Shareholders of Crawford & Company	$ (45,488)	$ 30,624	$ 50,978
Class A Common Stock
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Basic:
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	$ (0.79)	$ 0.58	$ 0.95
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$ (0.79)	$ 0.57	$ 0.93
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share (shares)	30,596	30,237	29,853
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share (shares)	30,596	30,983	30,855
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.28	$ 0.24	$ 0.18
Class B Common Stock
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Basic:
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Basic (usd per share)	(0.87)	0.52	0.91
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Diluted:
(Loss) Earnings Per Share - Diluted (usd per share)	$ (0.87)	$ 0.52	$ 0.90
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Basic Earnings Per Share (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690
Weighted-Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
Weighted Average Shares Used to Compute Diluted Earnings Per Share (shares)	24,690	24,690	24,690
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.2	$ 0.18	$ 0.14