SB-64, SB-255:
Increasing workers' comp costs

Status: Both are awaiting action in the Senate

(May 2, 2008) SB-64 and SB-255 would expand Connecticut’s already generous workers’compensation benefits, for scarring and for the discretionary awards commissioners can add to regular benefits.

SB-64 and SB-255 are harmful because they:

Dramatically increase workers' compensation costs by raising benefits to employees far beyond fiscally responsible levels.

Dramatically increase costs to the state. The Office of Fiscal Analysis estimates that SB-255 will cost the state up to $4.3 million by 2010; private-sector costs could be at least $527 million in the first year.

Worsen Connecticut's business climate. Workers’ comp costs here are already 9th highest in the U.S.

Repeal two of the most important reforms of Connecticut's workers' comp system that made the system less costly, fairer and more efficient.

Awards for scarring in Connecticut are already more generous than those in 30 other states. And Connecticut is the only state that currently awards discretionary benefits.

SB-64 and SB-255 should be rejected because they increase the already high costs of doing business here and needlessly seek to improve one of the fairest workers’ comp systems in the U.S.