Stakeholders Disagree on Problems but Say Reform is Possible

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefBusiness and labor agree that inefficiencies are driving up California’s workers’ compensation costs. The two sides also agree the system can be reformed in a way that produces enough savings to pay for a benefit increase. But the two primary stakeholders appear to have sharply contrasting views about what is really driving up costs. Management says the judicial system for resolving disputes delays case resolution, and excessive litigation has eroded the predictability of reforms enacted in 2003 and 2004. Labor says the reform efforts slashed bene...