Declining Frequency Offsets Rising Claims Costs in 1st Reports

The average California workers' compensation claim increased 18 months after policy inception rose 11% between policy years 2007 and 2008, but the number of claims dropped by 13.2%, leading to a 3.4% decline in total incurred losses, the California Workers' Compensation Institute reported Monday.CWCI, relying on first report data submitted to the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, said average incurred losses (paid benefits plus reserves for future payments) per California claim have been rising since 2005. That trend continued in 2008, but unlike the two previous years...