WASH. L&I ADOPTS 3.7% WORKERS’ COMP RATE INCREASE:

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries finalized an average 3.7 percent rate increase for workers’ compensation insurance in 2005. The increase takes effect Jan. 1 and will raise an additional $52 million to cover cost-of-living increases required by law and rising health-care costs. The 3.7 percent increase is an average. Some employers and workers will see rate decreases and others increases, depending on the relative risks in their industry and employers’ claims history. Rates vary greatly within risk classes. For example, residential wood framers pay as little as 79 cents and as much as $5.96 an hour per employee. The difference is based entirely on how effectively the employer prevents injuries.