State Reforms Help Curb Workers' Comp Costs.

The article reports that rising medical and indemnity costs continue to drive up workers' compensation insurance rates in the U.S. The state struggling with the highest rates for construction workers this year is Montana. Employers in California and Florida have seen workers' compensation rates decline since reforms were adopted in 2003 and 2004. The California Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau, which submits rate filings to the California Department of Insurance, has proposed a 15.9% decrease in premiums to be effective from January 1, 2006.