Who pays for workers' compensation insurance?

If you are injured on the job in Washington, workers' compensation pays medical benefits, as well as wage-replacement and pension benefits if your injury is so severe you cannot work.

If your injury occurs while working for a self-insured employer, your employer pays:

• Workers' compensation benefits directly to you.
• Bills for medical treatment and other services related to your claim.

Payroll deductions

Employers who pay premiums to L&I may deduct from your paycheck up to half the:

• Cost of the premium that covers your medical benefits (the Medical Aid Fund).
  And
• Premium for the fund that pays cost-of-living increases for pensions (the Supplemental Pension Fund).

Employers must pay the entire premium that covers lost wages and pensions (the Accident Fund). In 2006, workers' paycheck deductions contributed 21% of total workers' compensation premiums paid.

Self-insured employers may deduct some workers' compensation costs from your paycheck:

• One half of the Supplemental Pension Fund assessment.
• One half of the Asbestos Fund assessment.
• The Self-Insurance Overpayment Reimbursement Fund assessment.

If you are injured at work, find out about your benefits and rights.