Florida, Texas report surge in COVID-19 comp claims

The summer surge in COVID-19 cases in Florida began in July, as 4,221 COVID-19 workers compensation indemnity claims were filed — more than six times the number filed in June — and August tallies show a slight drop, according to data released by Wednesday by the Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation.

The monthly report, which tracks overall indemnity — or income replacement — claims, including data on costs and industry breakdowns, showed that the 4,221 claims reported in July and the 3,287 reported in August remain a steep drop from the peak of 8,406 claims in July 2020. Since March 2020, the lowest number of claims were reported in June 2021: 664.

While the summer surge is clearly seen in case counts, average costs per claims dipped to its lowest last month since the start of the pandemic, with claim costs averaging $1,049 for August. The highest month was September 2020, when the average cost per claim stood at $4,295. Overall, the latest data shows that the average cost per claim since January 2020 is $3,010.

In July, five workers succumbed to COVID-19; in August, one worker died.

In calculating total spending, insurers in the state have paid $1.5 million in total benefits — indemnity plus medical — for COVID-19 claims, according to the report, which shows that most claims — 82% of total paid compensable claims — come from those working in health care, education, and public administration, which includes first responders.