Oregon's workers' compensation costs have dropped for a second straight year. The Department of Consumer and Business Services announced last week costs will decrease an average of 5.3% in 2015.
The Department approved the decrease in Oregon's "pure premium," which is the price employers pay insurers to cover anticipated workers compensation costs. Department of Consumer and Businesses Spokeswoman Lisa Morawski says in the last few years the state, private businesses, and insurance companies have focused on improving workplace safety and health.
Morawski: "We also have really successful return to work programs, where the state actually offers incentives to employers to bring their injured workers back to work more quickly. And that is really good for the worker cause it often helps them with their injuries in terms of their recovery."
Morawski says employers will notice lower costs when they renew insurance policies next year. Oregon's compensation rates are among the lowest in the U.S. The decreased rate is based on recommendations from the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
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