New York developers complain of high cost of workers compensation insurance.

By Scott Donnelly, The Post-Star, Glens Falls, N.Y. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jan. 16--In 17 years, developer Richard Schermerhorn has never had an employee file a workers' compensation claim.

"I don't think we've had more than a paper cut," said Schermerhorn, the owner of Schermerhorn Commercial Properties in Queensbury.

Still, last year he spent $25,000 for workers' compensation insurance coverage for his 22 employees, and he estimates that he has seen about a 10 percent increase in his insurance costs each year for the last several years.

"Workers' compensation (insurance) is so expensive now that trying to find subcontractors that are properly insured, that have their employees covered under workers' compensation and under the correct classification, is very difficult," Schermerhorn said.

Those subcontractors who are able to provide workers' compensation insurance for their employees -- a requirement in New York state -- typically pass the cost of that insurance on to the general contractor …