L&I Holds Public Hearings on Proposed Workers' Comp Rate Increases

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced an increase to workers’ compensation insurance premiums for 2010; however they are lower than predicted. The expected average increase was to be 15-20% next year. L&I Director Judy Schurke today proposed an average increase of 7.6%.

“We have pushed this proposed rate increase down to the lowest possible level given the uncertain state of our recovery from this deep recession,” Schurke said.

With an increase of 7.6 percent, average premiums would go up by about 4 cents per hour worked. The proposed increase is an average for all Washington employers. Individual employers could see their rates go up or down, depending on their recent claims history and changes in the frequency or cost of claims in their industry.

You can attend a public hearing to comment before the final 2010 rates are adopted. There are six hearings that will be held in different areas across the state. You can attend a hearing in/on:

• Tukwila: Oct. 27, 1 p.m., L&I Office, 12806 Gateway Dr.
• Tumwater: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., L&I Headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W.
• Vancouver: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Red Lion Inn at the Quay, 100 Columbia St.
• Bellingham: Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Bellingham Quality Inn, 100 E. Kellogg Road
• Spokane: Oct. 30, 9 a.m., Spokane Airport Ramada, 8909 W. Airport Dr.
• Richland: Oct. 30, 2 p.m., Richland Hampton Inn, 486 Bradley Blvd.

Written comments, accepted through Nov. 7, may be e-mailed to Ronald Moore, Employer Services Program Manager, or mailed to him at the Department of Labor & Industries, P.O. Box 44140, Olympia, WA 98504-4140. Faxed comments should go to 360-902-4729.