Speaker Chopp should allow vote on moderate Democrats' workers' comp reform proposal

EIGHT moderate Democrats in the state House of Representatives have a proposal to break the logjam on a workers' compensation bill. The bill is important for the creation of jobs and for passing the state budget. Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, should allow the House to vote on it this week.

The central idea in Senate Bill 5566 before the House is to allow an injured worker to choose between a pension and accepting a lump-sum settlement of his economic claim. The medical claim would still be covered. But his claim for lost earning power could be settled with one fat check.

That way, says Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, an employee would have the choice to look for another job — "to get on with their life."

The worker who qualified could still choose a pension, which the state now gives out to more than 1,000 workers a year. But a pension creates an incentive not to look for work. Pensions are also expensive for the state disability funds. These funds have been drained over the past few years and are at risk of running out.

Organized labor hates the idea of voluntary settlements. They worry that the worker is going to be pushed into a low amount. The bill already has safeguards against this. One is that the worker will be paid his benefit while he considers the offer. Another is that if he says yes, he has 30 days to change his mind. Another is that the offer will be reviewed by the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals, on which labor and management are equally represented.

An amendment offered by the moderate Democrats now increases the safeguards. Under their proposal, the injured worker will have to collect benefits for 180 days before applying for a lump sum.

This is not a radical bill. Forty-four states, including Oregon, have voluntary settlements. In this matter, their systems treat workers as intelligent beings who can make their own decisions.

There is a final reason to pass the bill: It is in the Senate budget. If workers' comp isn't settled this week, it becomes part of a budget battle in a special session.

Better to do it now.