Claim Resolution Structured Settlement Agreements (CRSSAs) Study

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the quality and effectiveness (measured from the perspectives of workers, businesses, and the State of Washington) of structured settlement agreements (SSAs) of workers compensation claims, and to report findings to the state legislature. SSAs were introduced into the state’s workers compensation system by legislative action in 2011. The evaluation will include both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Staff members will conduct statistical analysis of claims data and online survey data to garner the perspective of workers. Administrative data will be scrutinized to determine the impact of SSAs on State fund and self-insured employers. Focus groups and in-person interviews will provide qualitative data to add perspective to the evaluation. The legislative intent is to have this evaluation provide a short-term perspective on the quality and effectiveness of SSAs, and then to have follow-up evaluations conducted in 2019 and 2023.