Amerisafe, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMSF), a provider of high hazard workers' compensation insurance, announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009. Net income in the first quarter of 2009 was $11.1 million compared to $11.9 million in the first quarter of 2008, a decrease of 7.2%. Pre-tax income for the first quarter of 2009 included $1.2 million of favorable prior year loss development. Pre-tax income for the first quarter of 2008 included $1.7 million of favorable prior year development. Return on average equity for the first quarter of 2009 was 15.7% compared to 20% for the first quarter of 2008. Gross premiums written in the first quarter of 2009 were $79.4 million, a decrease of 1.9%, compared to $81 million in the first quarter of 2008.