Workers’ compensation costs to employers continued to increase in the first quarter

of 2004. The employers’ costs as a percent of payroll for all non-federal employees

increased to 2.20 percent of payroll in March 2004, which is up 18.9 percent from

March 2002, when costs reached their recent low point of 1.85 percent of payroll

(Figure I). The lead article also indicates that for the five quarters ending between

March 2003 and March 2004, the annual rates of increase in the employers’ costs of

workers’ compensation for this aggregation of employees have varied between 7.0 and

10.5 percent (Figure M). Despite these recent increases, the employers’ costs as a percent

of payroll for all non-federal employees were lower in March 2004 (2.20 percent)

than in all years between 1991 and 1997.

The National Commission on State Workmen’s Compensation Laws submitted its

report to the President and Congress in 1972. Two of the key participants in the work

of the National Commission – the Chairman and the Executive Director – have contributed

articles concerning the operation and legacy of the National Commission. John

Burton describes one key proposal of the National Commission that never came to fruition

despite its unanimous endorsement by the members, namely federal standards for

state workers’ compensation programs. Peter Barth describes a shortcoming of the

National Commission’s report, research activities, and public hearings, namely the lack

of attention to occupational diseases. Additional articles dealing with the legacy of the

National Commission will be included in subsequent issues.

Information on Workers’ Compensation Policy Review

Workers’ Compensation Policy Review is published six times a year. Requests for a sample copy or for subscription information can be sent by mail to WCPR, 56 Primrose Circle, Princeton, NJ 08540-9416; by FAX to 732-274-0678; or by filling out our online form.