Rise in Workers’ Comp Rates Raises Concerns

November 17, 2023

Workers’ comp to rise with minimum wage in Washington state

  • Washington state is poised to raise the minimum wage again at the beginning of next year and proposed increases to workers’ compensation rates.
  • A proposed 4.9% increase for 2024 comes on the heels of a 4.8% increase last year, which has drawn criticism from the Association of Washington Businesses.
  • “This may seem like a small increase when viewed alone, but it follows multiple years of rate hikes,” said Kris Johnson, AWB president, in a statement.
  • The group wants to keep rate changes steady and predictable, maintain an adequate workers’ compensation contingency reserve, and help workers heal and go back to work.
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Evolution of workers’ comp

  • The designation of an employee’s condition as an occupational disease, instead of an accidental injury arising from the employment, was crucial in many states, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
  • The original workers’ compensation acts provided no coverage for occupational diseases.
  • Now, every American jurisdiction provides some level of compensation for occupational diseases.
  • Still, some distinctions between occupational injuries and occupational diseases are important. Some fact patterns fall between the two categorizations.
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Ohio updates workers’ comp resource

  • The updated National Federation of Independent Business Ohio Workers’ Compensation Program website features news and information for members on workers’ comp, unemployment, workplace safety, and more.
  • The site allows NFIB members to access recent editions of our Safety Visions and Resource quarterly newsletters, the 2023 Ohio unemployment handbook, upcoming BWC-certified safety webinars, and important dates.
  • Members can also learn more about the NFIB Ohio Group Rating Program and receive a free quote for their business.
  • This program, administered by our Third-Party Administrator, Sedgwick, has saved NFIB members over $1 billion in workers’ compensation premiums since its inception.
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Texas requesting comments for workers’ comp rules

  • The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation is requesting comments on an informal working draft of amendments to 28 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 166.
  • These amendments are to improve the process insurance companies use to submit information on their accident prevention services.
  • DWC staff reviewed this process and identified areas to improve, including removing burdensome requirements companies must follow when they submit information on their accident prevention services.
  • DWC is requesting comments on the rule text. Email comments to RuleComments@tdi.texas.gov. Written comments must be received by 5 p.m., Central time, on Dec. 15, 2023.
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