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Audit Finds Workers' Comp Costs For LA Police, Firefighters Up Sharply

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Injury costs for Los Angeles police and firefighters that were hurt on the job have jumped 35 percent in the last five years, according to city officials.

An audit released Thursday by the City Controller's Office found payouts for workers' compensation claims made up more than 60 percent of all city workers' compensation expenses, which totaled $141 million in 2013-14.

The costs at the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department would cover the salaries of 2,300 entry-level police officers or firefighters, according to City Controller Ron Galperin.

In all, 29,000 claims were filed by city workers and $800 million paid out between 2010 and 2014, with as much as 60 percent of the claims coming from LAPD and LAFD, according to the audits.

"We must get the spiraling costs under control," Galperin told reporters at a City Hall news conference.

The city could trim $28 million in costs annually for police and fire by reducing claims for everyday injuries that occur from sports and other athletic-related activity, and back injuries, Galperin said.

Click here (PDF) to read the full LAPD audit. The entire LAFD audit can be read here (PDF).

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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