WCIRB Releases Evaluation of Governor's COVID-19 Presumption

The midrange cost of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s presumption that COVID-19 is an occupational disease is $1.2 billion, according to a report the state’s ratemaking agency released on Friday. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau said its midrange estimate comprises 7% of the estimated $18.3 billion annual cost of workers’ compensation claims. Overall, the estimates of the cost of COVID-19 claims that are subject to the governor’s order will range from about $600 million to $2 billion. Newsom on May 6 signed an executive order creating the rebutta...