Wash. increases comp benefit payments

Most workers injured on or before July 1, 2017, will see a 5% increase in time-loss and pension benefit payments this month, based on increases in the state’s average wage and state law that requires that benefits be recalculated annually, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced Friday.

The results of this recalculation is the cost-of-living adjustment, which for 2018 increases the maximum monthly benefit to $6,188.70, or 120% of the state's average monthly wage, according to a press statement. The increase also applies to pension benefits paid to family members of those who died because of a work-related accident or disease, according to the statement.

The increase became effective July 1, 2018, for most, with some exceptions: certain workers who also receive federal Social Security benefits may not be entitled to this annual increase; and most workers with an injury date of July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, will receive their first increase on July 1, 2019, the department announced.