Workers' Compensation Action Network

CA policymakers ringing the alarm about runaway costs in the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund. How is this specialized fund now paying out more in yearly benefits than the entire #workerscomp system for conditions that are rarely work disabling? workcompaction.org/sibtf-fac…

For decades, SIBTF claims were uncommon. But between 2010 and 2022, annual SIBTF applications nearly tripled from 850 to 2,448,, the average amount paid per application increased from $12,237 to $70,342 and total SIBTF payments increased from $14 million to $232 million in 2022.

Slow claim resolution has long been a hallmark of CA's #workercomp system. Despite positive improvements, CA still lags national median in % of medical spend by year 3 of a claim. Slow claim reporting, high rates of PD and CT claims, cited as factors by @WCIRB

Despite improvements in California's rate of closing open #workerscomp claims during the past decade, 13% are still unresolved at the 5-year mark. The median among comparison states? 5%. Graphic source: @WCIRB

Complaints about the slow-moving nature of #workerscomp tend to get dumped on employers/insurers who manage the claims. Counterpoint: nearly 1/4 of California claims don't even get reported by workers within ONE YEAR of injury. It's 2X the national rate. Graphic credit @WCIRB

"Presumptions assume people are merely going to or from work. That is not the current reality. The 'Industrial causation' standard exists precisely because people have lives outside of work." @VICASFValley #workerscomp #caleg dailynews.com/2020/06/01/wor…

"Presumptions turn the #workerscomp system inside out. Instead of benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses, employers will pay for any instance when a worker gets sick -- even if caught at home from a family member or out in public from a stranger." @FamBusAssocCA #CALeg

"Forcing employers to pay for virtually every new case of #COVID19 as a #workerscomp claim, when it may not have any connection to work, is unfair and will cost employers billions of additional dollars." @CRHWAssoc @AsmGrayson @AsmMarcBerman

"As we reboot our economy, #workerscomp should be there to protect workers who get COVID-19 because of their job. But it should not be an insurance policy that covers birthday parties, church services and backyard BBQs in the weeks and months ahead." @CamarilloCoC

Perspective on #workerscomp presumptions from @CRHWAssoc #CALeg