Voluntarily Lowering the 2012 Workers Compensation Rate Increase is Good News for State Budget

Aug. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- With so much emphasis on the unemployed and the economic crisis, it’s difficult to think about another crisis-laden group: those injured on the job now eligible for Workers Compensation. The Workers Compensation injury places a burden on the individual, his or her family and the economic crisis in this country.

From Olympia, Washington, Association of Washington Business released the following statement in 2011 regarding the Work Compensation reform agreement reached in the Legislature:

“Today’s announcement is good news for our members who continue to struggle with double-digit rate increases on top of a turbulent economy,” said AWB President Don Brunell. “The governor has told us this Work Compensation package of reforms will lower the 2012 (Workers Compensation) rate increase, and that should provide some much-needed relief from continued year-after-year rate increases. Voluntary settlement agreements have proven successful in several other states – both in terms of helping injured workers and lowering the tax burden on employers.

“Workers Compensation is a critical component of our employment system and a key part of our state’s overall competitiveness. Voluntary structured (Work Compensation) settlements will provide some systemic relief, but this agreement cannot be the last step in the journey toward reform. We must continue to work together – business and labor alike – to find solutions that work for employers and injured employees. Washington state’s Work Compensation system cannot continue indefinitely in its current state – even with the changes reflected in this agreement. And that is a conversation that will need to continue after the gavel falls this spring,” added Brunell.

“We thank the members of the Legislature and the governor for their willingness to address this Work Compensation issue in a bipartisan manner before heading home.”

As this critical Work Compensation economic crisis unfolds in our living rooms, the state legislature must take a stand in the terms of lowering the stress on any state’s budget crisis but not at the cost of our Workers Compensation recipients.

Name - Brian Lehr
Website – www.business1stinsurance.com
Address - 14350 Carlson Circle Suite J-6 Tampa, FL 33626
Email - brian@business1stinsurance.com
Phone No - 813-448-9222