The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.9% increase in the rate employers and workers pay for workers’ comp insurance in 2027. Hearings are scheduled for public input. 

If adopted, the proposed increase would raise the cost of coverage by about $1.44 a week per full-time employee, on average. Employers pay about 75% of the premium and workers pay 25%.  

The proposed increase would help pay for the rising cost of providing wage replacement and medical care benefits when a worker is injured on the job or develops a work-related illness, according to an L&I news release about the rate increase.  

The proposal wouldn’t pass along the full projected cost increases to businesses and workers who pay premiums. Instead, the agency would use funds from the workers’ compensation contingency reserve to cover the potential difference between what the rate increase will bring in and what the projected costs will be.  

The state wage inflation average and other factors like medical costs and wage replacement costs help determine workers’ comp premiums.  

The public has the opportunity to comment on the rate increases. Virtual hearings will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 28 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 29. Written comments can be sent to Jo Anne Attwood, administrative regulations analyst, P.O. Box 41448, Olympia, WA 98504-4148; or email [email protected]. All comments must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 29.  

Final rates will be adopted Nov. 30 and go into effect Jan. 1, 2027. 

Go to: lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-15.