Washington wants to raise workers’ comp rates 12%

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has announced a 12 percent average increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums for 2011. Average premiums would go up by 6.5 cents per hour worked. The new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2011, under an emergency rule that is effective for 120 days. L&I will hold public hearings in January to gather comments about the proposed increase before adopting permanent rates. Earlier this year, the Governor asked L&I Director Judy Schurke to convene a business and labor workgroup to recommend improvements to the state’s workers’ compensation system.