CWCI Reports Continued Increase in Loss Costs

The California Workers' Compensation Institute reported that the pandemic temporarily disrupted loss cost trends but did not curtail the persistent growth in medical and indemnity claim costs. The pandemic temporarily moderated initial loss costs, CWCI reported. Average total paid losses measured 6 months and 12 months after injury rose steadily through accident year 2020 before leveling off in 2021 when more than 82,000 COVID-19 claims entered the system. The influx of relatively low-cost COVID claims had a brief moderating effect on paid losses, especially during the first year of devel...