WCIRB Study Links Treatment Delays to Higher Claim Costs

A recent study by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California found that claims with delays in medical treatment have higher medical and indemnity costs, slower claim closure rates, longer temporary disability duration and are more likely to end in permanent disability.  For researchers, the results may help them understand how COVID-19-caused treatment delays could impact workers’ comp claim costs down the road. For applicants’ attorneys, the findings confirm long-held suspicions that failing to treat injured workers in a timely manner can resul...