Last week the National Academy of Social Insurance released its report on workers’ compensation for the year 2009.  Based on the state-specific data in the report, 2009 benefits paid per covered worker in Washington were the highest in the nation at $857.32.  The state with the second highest benefits per covered worker was West Virginia at $754.79, followed by Alaska at $719.04.

Additionally, the report includes significant revisions to benefits data from 2005-2008.  Last year’s report (the original 2008 data) put Washington at second highest in benefits per covered worker ($778.36) behind West Virginia ($902.13).  Incorporating the revisions, Washington actually paid the highest benefits per covered worker in the country in 2008.  Although Washington’s number didn’t change, West Virginia’s was reduced to $730.01.

When you look at benefits as a percent of covered wages, Washington was the third highest in 2009 at 1.82 percent, following West Virginia at 2.10 percent and Montana at 1.89 percent.  Washington was also third highest the past few years.  Washington’s benefits as a percent of wages were 1.69 percent in 2008 and 1.57 percent in 2007.