In a new study, WCIRB researchers have documented significant differences in the costs of claims among California regions. The Study found that the Los Angeles region experiences significantly higher claim frequency relative to the rest of California, while the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area regions experience lower claim frequencies. The Santa Monica – San Fernando Valley region is second, and San Gabriel Valley – Pasadena region is third highest. No opinion was provided to explain these differences.

WCIRB researchers also found that claim severities tend to be higher in the Central Valley and many of the urban coastal areas, but lower in the more remote, rural areas of the state.

The Study involved linking several diverse datasets which allowed the WCIRB to conduct a more refined analysis of geographical differences across California than has previously been possible. The Study examines geographical differences in:

– Indemnity frequency
– Total frequency
– Incurred indemnity on indemnity claims
– Median injured workers’ average weekly wages
– Incurred medical on indemnity claims
– Cumulative injury and occupation disease claims

The Study of Geographical Differences in California Workers’ Compensations Claim Costs and a mapping of nine-digit zip codes to the Study’s regions are available on the WCIRB website in the Research and Analysis section.