New brief: The Best Interests of Washington's Workers' Compensation System
Washington continues to have the nation’s highest workers’ compensation benefits, which are accompanied by high costs. In a new policy brief, we look at the factors that make Washington’s system unusual, explain why the Oregon premium rate ranking study is a flawed measure of Washington’s costs, describe the cost drivers of the system, and consider […]
2nd of December 2013
WA average workers' comp rates to increase 2.7 percent
The Department of Labor and Industries has announced that it will increase average workers’ compensation rates by 2.7 percent for 2014 (after two years of no increases). Per the news release, Noting that the 2011 reforms are projected to save approximately $150 million in the fiscal year that ends next July, [Director Joel] Sacks said […]
20th of August 2013
WA had the nation's highest workers' comp benefits paid in 2011
Today the National Academy of Social Insurance released Workers’ Compensation: Benefits, Coverage, and Costs, 2011. (This annual report has a two year data lag.) The report shows that in 2011, Washington still had the nation’s highest workers’ compensation benefits paid, at $835.40 $855.78 per covered worker. Alaska followed with $782.99 per covered worker. In terms […]
3rd of July 2013
Due to average wage increase, workers' comp COLA is 3.4 percent for FY 2014
As I noted last month, the state average annual wage increased to $51,595 in 2012, which affects both the unemployment insurance weekly benefit amount and the taxable wage base. And, as the Department of Labor and Industries announced yesterday, it also affects workers’ compensation benefits. Time-loss and pension benefits will increase by 3.4 percent for […]
12th of June 2013
Increase in state average wage will impact unemployment insurance and workers' comp
Today the Employment Security Department announced that Washington’s average annual wage was $51,595 in 2012. That’s up from $49,894 in 2011. Both unemployment insurance (UI) and workers’ compensation benefits are calculated using the average annual wage. As the announcement notes, The minimum weekly unemployment benefit, calculated at 15 percent of the average weekly wage, will […]
20th of May 2013
Additional workers' comp reforms could help build up reserves
Bill Weaver, President and CEO of Canyon Creek Cabinet Company, has an op-ed in the Everett Herald about why workers’ compensation reforms passed by the Senate earlier this year are a good idea. As he writes, “continued workers’ compensation reform is a key element of our state’s economic competitiveness.” Further, To compete worldwide, we depend […]
17th of May 2013
Why workers' comp benefits paid are the best indicator of system costs
As Dick noted on Wednesday, his column this week “debunks the charge that [business climate ranking] studies are bunk.” He also linked to the Washington Roundtable’s Benchmarks for a Better Washington, which look at how Washington does (compared to other states) on measures of innovation, quality of life, and business costs. Today, David Groves of […]
26th of February 2013
Oregon study on workers' comp — Washington jumps in the rankings
Today the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services released the full 2012 Workers’ Compensation Premium Rate Ranking Study. (A summary was released in October.) The study is done every two years and ranks Oregon’s workers’ comp premium rates against those in other states. We have described the problems with using the Oregon study as […]
Workers' comp, cumulative trauma, and pro sports
Over the weekend, there was an article in the LA Times about athletes and workers’ compensation in California. (I wrote about this issue in August.) All states allow professional athletes to claim workers’ compensation payments for specific job-related injuries — such as a busted knee, torn tendon or ruptured spinal disc — that happened within […]
20th of February 2013
New Brief: More Reforms for Workers' Compensation
On February 4, the state Senate passed three workers’ comp bills. In a new brief today, we take a look at those bills and discuss why reforms are needed, even after the changes made in 2011.