I need to know the approximate number of workers' compensation claims
that are currently outstanding/unsetteled in California. I need to
site an authoratitive source, too -- meaning, "According to ___, there
are currently ___ unsettled workers' compensation claims in
California, and that number is growing." That kind of thing. Can you
help?

---

Clarification of Question by 1722-ga on 28 Aug 2004 00:59 PDT

Maybe this gives you a better idea of the key statistic I need. In a
trade advertisement I am creating, this is the opening sentence
following the headline and visual. The audience is big business
employers located in California; the client is a world-leading
insurance consultant.

"If you?re feeling tied down by unsettled claims, you are not alone.
In California, there are currently ___ costing businesses billions of
dollars."

Hi,

The web page below gives details about CALIFORNIA WORKDERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS:

Regards
epedia.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/ubb/Forum106/HTML/004596.html

"According to various industry surveys, each year the costs of fraud are
estimated to be in the billions of dollars with four out of every 10 claims
having some elements of fraud. Recent legislation requires that carriers
adhere to certain criteria that address the problem of fraud in the claims
process. Severe fines and/or penalties have been levied against companies
that have not complied in the fight against fraud. Most states require
insurance companies to file a fraud plan, establish and maintain a special
investigation unit, and train the claims and underwriting personnel."

But what does the data from California from 1994 to 1999 indicate?

Referred as suspect
Year------#-Claims (3)----# referrals--% referred
1994(1)--604,432.------3,914-------0.65%
1995-----596,384-------4,416-------0.74%
1996-----602,009-------3,779-------0.63%
1997-----647,091-------3,546-------0.55%
1998-----638,076-------2,765-------0.43%
1999(2)--283,975-------1,772-------0.62%
Total---3,371,967------20,192-------0.60%

That is 6/10's of 1% of all claims filed resulted in a referral for further
investigation even though insurers are required by law in California to
report suspected fraud.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

The web pages below are government sources with gives the statistics. 

Regards
epedia.

--------------------------------
"The number of lien decisions grew from just over 3000 in 1990  to
over 33,000 in 1995 and 1998. In 1999, the DWC issued 17,585 decisions
on lien claims"
http://www.dir.ca.gov/CHSWC/9900annualreport.pdf

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/AuditReport2003/audrpt03.pdf
--------------------------------

Thanks, but I need a little more clarity. I'm interested in
outstanding claims (these are not necessarily fraudulent) at any given
time in 2004. Likely, there is a month on month increase; the latest
statistics for California-based employers, collectively, is the
objective. Thanks