Labor & Industries has proposed an average 0.8% decrease in workers’ compensation insurance premiums next year. It would be the third year in a row that average rates have declined.

L&I Director Joel Sacks attributed the declines to overall injury rate declines in recent years. He noted that injured workers are returning to work sooner than in the past, thanks, in part, to early-return to work incentives in programs administered by associations including Washington Retail.

The proposed price drop would result in employers paying an average $15 less a year per employee for workers’ compensation coverage. Employees would see a small monthly price increase because of a rise in costs related to the supplemental pension fund due to an increase in the average Washington wage.

L&I has scheduled three public hearings to hear public comment on next year’s proposed rates:

• Tukwila, Oct. 29, 10 a.m., Department of Labor & Industries’ Tukwila Office
• Spokane Valley, Oct. 30, 9 am., Spokane Center Place
• Tumwater, Nov. 1, 10 a.m., Tumwater Labor & Industries Office

To comment in writing by Nov. 5, contact Jo Anne Attwood, administrative regulations analyst, P.O. Box 41448, Olympia 98504-4148, or email [email protected].

L&I expects to make a final decision on 2020 rates in late November.