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Nationwide, workers’ comp costs are down due to higher unemployment rates. However, costs have gone up in some states. Where does your state fall?

A National Academy of Social Insurance report says employer costs for workers’ comp benefits fell by 7.6% to $73.9 million in 2009 (most recent year for complete data).

However, benefits paid to workers increased slightly by 0.4% to $58.3 billion because of benefits paid to workers injured before 2009. Cash benefits increased 1.9%. Medical benefits dropped 1.1%, the first decline in a decade. Medical benefits still make up roughly half the total amount paid to workers.

Total benefits paid to injured workers in 2009 increased in 23 states and the District of Columbia and declined in 27 states.

States with big increases or drops in benefits paid include:

• District of Columbia (+14.7%)
• Vermont (+12.8%)
• Massachusetts (+11.1%)
• Virginia (-21.5%), and
• South Dakota (-15.8%).

The full report (PDF) contains information for every state.

Tags: cash benefits, medical benefits, National Academy of Social Insurance, workers' comp costs