Fla. Claims Costs Decreased as Expected After State Reforms

Workers’ compensation costs per claim in Florida appear to have decreased in 2004 in the wake of reforms enacted in 2003, but the decrease did not continue in 2005, according to a study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, released Friday.The WCRI said the observed pattern—a one-time change—is consistent with what might be expected, given the nature of the 2003 reforms.In 2005/2006 (the second-year post-reform), the average total cost per claim in Florida increased 5% -- a more moderate pace than in the pre-reform period. This moderate growth was driven mainly by i...