BATON ROUGE (AP) — The number of workers' compensation claims filed by Louisiana state employees dropped significantly over the last eight years. But a legislative audit says workers' compensation costs for state agencies continued to increase.
Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera's office reviewed claims and costs for state employees from the 2006 through 2013 budget years. The performance audit was released Monday.
Even as the number of claims fell 30 percent during the period, the costs of those claims grew from $44 million to more than $66 million.
The audit says Louisiana's rules governing workers' compensation are looser than other states' regulations.
Purpera's office recommends shrinking state agency costs for workers' compensation by adopting policies used by private businesses and reworking the reimbursement schedule.
Jindal administration officials say they are putting those changes in place.
– by AP Reporter Melinda Deslatte
