L&I lowers Western's cost of workers' compensation insurance

The Department of Labor and Industries adjusts Western Washington University's cost of workers' compensation insurance based on the costs of the university's work-related injuries or illnesses in previous years. This adjustment is called the Experience Factor.

Western has been notified that the school's 2015 experience factor will be dropping 10 percent compared to 2014. This will put us at about 91 percent of the normal premium paid for our risk class. One of Western's best means of continuing to lower this experience factor is to keep people working or return them as soon as possible following an injury. For assistance with return-to-work and stay-at-work issues as well as information on how departments might qualify for a refund from L&I in these situations, e-mail Bruce Boyer or call him at 360-650-2947.

The very best means of controlling costs is still prevention of injury in the first place. For assistance with workplace safety and accident prevention, e-mail EHS or call 360-650-3064.