Argentina's UART sees workers' comp litigation declining

Argentina's association of occupational risk insurers (UART) said it forecasts a drop this year in litigation related to workers' compensation insurance.

The number of lawsuits rose 2.49% last year to 130,684 claims, UART said in a report. The increase represents a sharp deceleration compared with 2016, when claims grew about 20%.

The number of claims declined in the second half of the year and this trend should continue throughout 2018 due to recent legal changes, said UART.

In a bid to curb high levels of litigation, changes were made in January 2017 to an associated occupational risk law. These include new claims procedures and rules.

"Law 27.348 is a tool to curb litigation - levels of which are still high - but there are many of us working to bring them down. The state, employers, unions and insurers agree in that litigiousness or exacerbated conflict doesn't benefit workers or help create quality jobs. It affects everyone," said UART in December last year.

Since January, 10 jurisdictions have adhered to the law, among them Buenos Aires city and Buenos Aires province, which together account for about two-thirds of claims.