Lost-Time Claim Rate Falls in 2021

A drop in COVID-19 claims helped lower the rate of lost-time claims per 1,000 employees to 7.9 in 2021 from 9 in 2020, according to a new report by the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation. The DWC reports 14,111 lost-time claims for COVID-19 in 2021, compared to 20,316 the year before. Lost-time claims not involving COVID-19 were essentially flat at 56,522 in 2021, compared to 56,259 in 2020. Lost-time claims in 2021 incurred an average of $994 in medical, down from $1,168 in 2020. Indemnity costs were also down at $314 in 2021 compared to $394 in 2020. The average settlemen...