Wash. L&I to Hold Public Hearings on Proposed 2003 WC Rate Increase

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has scheduled seven public hearings to take testimony on a proposed 40.5 percent increase in workers’ compensation premiums in 2003.

The hearings give farmers, orchardists, employers and workers a convenient way to comment on the proposed rate increase.

The hearings are set for:
· Spokane — Oct. 28
901 N. Monroe St., Suite 100
· Everett — Oct. 29
729 100th St. SE
· Tukwila — Oct. 30
12806 Gateway Dr.
· Yakima — Oct. 31
15 W. Yakima Ave., Suite 100
· Tumwater — Nov. 1
7273 Linderson Way SW
· Tacoma — Nov. 4
950 Broadway, Suite 503 (Vashon Room)
· Vancouver — Nov. 6
312 SE Stonemill Dr., Suite 120
All hearings will commence at 10 a.m.

Anyone who is unable to attend the hearings may send their comments on the rate increase to Kathryn Kimbel, manager, Employer Services, Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater, Wash., 98501, or e-mail Kimbel at LANZ235@lni.wa.gov. Comments are due no later than Nov. 8, 2002.

If adopted, this would be the workers’ comp program’s first general rate increase in eight years. It is needed to bring premiums more in line with benefits, and to offset recent losses in the financial markets. In recent years, earnings on investment had allowed L&I to keep its premium rates artificially low.

For more information on the proposed rate increase and for a complete list of the proposed rates please contact Robert Nelson, L&I Public Affairs, at (360) 902-6043, or e-mail Nelson at nelq235@lni.wa.gov.

Topics Trends Pricing Trends Washington