Washington adopts 7.6 percent workers' comp rate hike

Workers' compensation rates will climb by an average of 7.6 percent next year under changes adopted by state officials.

The Wa. State Labor and Industries department says the rate hike will raise about $117 million for the state-run insurance program, which pays lost wages, medical bills and pensions for injured workers. Increases in health-care costs (up 8.5 percent) and wages (up 3.4 percent) last year are driving the premium hike, which averages to about an extra 4 cents per hour worked.