OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is proposing an almost 5% increase in workers compensation insurance next year.
If the increase is adopted, employers and workers would jointly pay an average of an additional $61 per year for each fulltime worker.
L&I’s director says that, even with the increase, premiums would still be about the same hourly rate paid in 2016.
He calls it a modest increase to get the system back in balance after keeping rates steady to help employers during the pandemic.
The workers’ compensation program helps cover the cost of wage and disability benefits for injured workers.
There will be a public hearing on the proposed increase on October 26th and 27th.