Senate Bills Would Suspend COLA Increases, Allow Lump-Sum Settlements

Washington state lawmakers have introduced two bills that would cap future cost-of-living adjustments for workers’ comp benefits and allow parties to settle claims via a lump sum. Senate Bill 5137, by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, would suspend workers’ comp COLA increases between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, and would require future adjustments to be based on annual changes in the consumer price index rather than changes in the state's average wage. The bill also would prevent annual adjustments to time-loss benefits and pensions from exceeding 3% regar...