A 2 percent increase in average workers' comp rates for 2016
The Department of Labor and Industries has announced that it will increase average workers' compensation rates by 2 percent next year. (This is the same as what they proposed in September.) As the Association of Washington Business noted in September, this is "nearly double what the department needs to break even.” Additionally, L&I will continue to do its part to keep […]
30th of September 2015
A good read from the WSIA on the workers' comp rate proposal
Kris Tefft of the Washington Self-Insurers Association has written a detailed, interesting analysis of the proposed increase in average workers' compensation rates for next year, including how the different pieces of the rate proposal fit together. I recommend reading it in its entirety, but here's one highlight: He writes about why the break-even point for […]
23rd of September 2015
Average workers' comp rates could increase by 2 percent
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) proposes that workers’ compensation rates increase by 2 percent next year (on average). There will be a comment period, and L&I will announce the final rates in December. (Last year, for example, it proposed a 1.8 percent increase and the final increase was 0.8 percent.) L&I Director Joel […]
12th of August 2015
Washington still has the nation's highest workers' compensation benefits costs
According to the National Academy of Social Insurance’s annual workers’ compensation report (released today), Washington has the nation’s highest benefits costs yet again. For 2013 (the data covered in this report), Washington’s benefits costs per covered worker were $826.94 (a slight decline over 2012). Alaska is the next highest ($808.43), followed by California ($799.25). When […]
29th of June 2015
Worker's comp COLA is 4.2 percent for FY 2016
The Department of Labor and Industries has announced that workers’ compensation benefits will increase by 4.168 percent in fiscal year 2016. This is due to the increase in the state’s average annual wage last year. The maximum monthly benefit will increase to $5,482.90 (from $5,263.50). According to L&I, “Less than 4 percent of L&I claimants […]
24th of June 2015
Washington's average wage increases, affecting UI taxes and benefits
Today the Employment Security Department reported that Washington’s average annual wage was $54,829 last year (an increase of 4.2 percent over 2013). The average weekly wage was $1,054. Unemployment insurance (UI) benefits and taxes (and workers’ compensation benefits) are calculated based on the average annual wage. Consequently, for new claims, the minimum weekly unemployment benefit […]
4th of June 2015
Workers' comp settlements and the closure effect
Last week the Washington Post reported on a proposal from President Obama’s administration that would reduce workers’ compensation for federal employees. Currently, the compensation level for injured workers with no dependents is two-thirds of their pre-injury wages. For employees with dependents, about 64 percent of the recipients, the compensation level is 75 percent. . . […]
19th of March 2015
13th of March 2015
Senate would lower age floor for voluntary workers' compensation settlements
On Tuesday, the Senate passed ESB 5513. As amended, the bill would allow workers who are at least 40 years old to voluntarily agree to a structured settlement of their workers’ compensation claims. Washington has allowed limited, voluntary settlement agreements since 2011; but, currently, a worker must be at least 53 years old to settle. […]
30th of December 2014
2014 remainders: workers' comp, freight plan, and the ports
Some end-of-year housekeeping — the following are some items I didn’t get around to blogging about over the past month: The Department of Labor and Industries announced that workers’ compensation premiums will increase by an average of 0.8 percent. In September, L&I had proposed an increase of 1.8 percent. The Washington State Department of Transportation […]