Frequency Drops, Cumulative Trauma Claims Rise During Recessions, WCIRB Study Says

Officials from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau on Wednesday reiterated the U.S. had been thrown into a sudden and “unprecedented” economic downturn thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic that took hold in March. But despite the current economic uncertainty, the WCIRB is using historical data as its guide in trying to predict how the most recent recession will ultimately affect the workers’ compensation system in California. “We would expect frequency in California to plummet. Well, maybe not,” said Dave Bellusci, WCIRB’s executive vice pre...