Washington
Washington Workers' Compensation Laws: Benefits, Deadlines, and Your Rights
Washington is a monopolistic state fund state: all workers' compensation coverage flows through the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), not private insurers. If you are injured on the job, your claim runs through the state system rather than a private carrier: you file with L&I, or with your employer directly if it is one of the state's L&I-approved self-insured employers. In exchange for guaranteed no-fault medical care and partial wage replacement, workers give up the right to sue their employer in civil court.
Is workers' comp required in Washington?
Yes. Washington workers' compensation coverage is mandatory for any employer with one or more workers. Washington is one of only four states that operates a monopolistic state fund, meaning employers must obtain coverage through the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) or through an L&I-approved self-insurance program. Private workers' compensation insurance companies are not authorized to write this coverage in Washington. Most industrial and service workers are covered under the state fund; certain narrowly defined agricultural categories and some independent contractors have different rules, but the default is broad coverage. The governing statute is R.C.W. Title 51 (the Industrial Insurance Act), and L&I administers the entire system from claim filing through benefits payment and appeals.
Benefits you can receive
Workers' compensation in Washington covers all reasonably necessary medical treatment at no cost to you, including doctor visits, hospital care, surgery, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and medical equipment. There is no copay or deductible on the medical side.
Time-loss compensation (Washington's term for temporary total disability wage replacement) is calculated as a percentage of your gross monthly wage rather than your weekly wage, and the rate scales with your family situation. For claims with a date of injury or disease manifestation on or after July 1, 2026, the schedule runs: 60% unmarried with no children; 65% unmarried with one child or married with no children; 67% unmarried with two children or married with one child; 69% unmarried with three children or married with two children; 71% unmarried with four children or married with three children; 73% unmarried with five children or married with four children; and 75% unmarried with six or more children or married with five or more. Claims with a date of injury before July 1, 2026 are still paid under the prior schedule: 60% if single, plus 5% if married, plus 2% per dependent child, up to a combined maximum of 75%. L&I adjusts the statewide maximum dollar caps annually, so the specific ceiling changes each year.
There is a 3-day waiting period before time-loss benefits begin. If your disability continues for 7 or more consecutive days, L&I pays that 3-day waiting period retroactively.
Washington also provides temporary partial disability benefits if you can return to light-duty work at reduced wages, permanent partial disability awards for lasting impairments (scheduled by body part under R.C.W. 51.32.080), permanent total disability pensions for workers who cannot return to any gainful employment, and vocational rehabilitation services when you cannot return to your former job. Death benefits are available to surviving spouses, registered domestic partners, and dependent children.
Our Washington workers' comp benefits calculator can turn your wage and impairment rating into a rough estimate of a permanent partial disability award.
Deadlines: reporting your injury and filing a claim
Three clocks can matter on a Washington workers' compensation claim, and each one closes independently.
First clock: report to your employer. Report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Prompt reporting protects both you and your employer. There is no fixed number of days in the statute for the initial employer notice, but delay can complicate your claim and raise questions about the work connection.
Second clock: file your claim. You must file a Report of Accident within 1 year of the date of injury (R.C.W. 51.28.050). You can file it online through L&I's FileFast tool, by phone at 1-877-561-FILE (3453), or at your doctor's office, where the provider submits it for you. Where the report goes depends on who insures your employer: if your employer is covered by the state fund, L&I must receive it, and if your employer is one of Washington's L&I-approved self-insured employers, the report goes to that employer instead (R.C.W. 51.28.020). Ask your employer which applies before you file. Missing this deadline will bar your claim entirely.
Occupational diseases run on their own clock. For a condition caused by gradual workplace exposure rather than a single event, the claim must be filed within 2 years of the date you received written notice from a physician or licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner stating both that the occupational disease exists and that a claim for disability benefits may be filed (R.C.W. 51.28.055). The provider files that notice with L&I, and L&I sends a copy to you, so the two-year period does not begin until you actually have the notice. Occupational hearing loss is the exception to that rule: a hearing loss claim must be filed within 2 years of your last injurious exposure to occupational noise, and a hearing loss claim filed after that window can only be allowed for medical benefits.
Third clock: appeal a decision you disagree with. Once L&I issues an order, decision, or award, you have 60 days from the day it was communicated to you to file a notice of appeal (R.C.W. 51.52.060). This is the deadline workers most often miss, because it starts running on paperwork that can arrive long after the injury itself.
If you are unsure whether your condition is a traumatic injury or an occupational disease, file promptly and let L&I make the determination. Filing early is always safer than waiting.
Choosing your doctor
Washington is one of the more employee-friendly states on doctor choice. You may choose any medical provider who is certified by L&I as an industrial insurance provider. Washington has a large network of certified physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other practitioners. You are not required to use a provider your employer or a private insurer designates.
The one significant exception is employer-based Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) or managed-care arrangements. Some larger employers in Washington have L&I-approved managed-care plans. If your employer uses an approved managed-care arrangement, your initial provider choice may be guided by that network. Even so, L&I rules require that the network be reasonably accessible and that you have a genuine choice of providers within it.
If you are unhappy with your treating provider, you can generally change to another L&I-certified provider. For complex claims or disputes over your diagnosis and treatment plan, L&I may order an independent medical examination.
Can you sue your employer? The exclusive-remedy rule
Workers' compensation under R.C.W. Title 51 is the exclusive remedy against your employer for work-related injuries and occupational diseases. This is the core of the no-fault bargain: your employer contributes to the L&I fund and you receive guaranteed benefits in return, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. You cannot bring a personal-injury lawsuit against your employer in Washington state court simply because they were negligent.
There are limited exceptions to the exclusive-remedy rule. If your employer intentionally assaulted you or acted with deliberate intent to injure you, a tort claim may be possible, though the bar is high. More commonly, workers preserve the right to bring third-party claims against non-employer parties whose negligence contributed to the injury. For example, if a defective piece of machinery made by a manufacturer you do not work for caused your injury, you may sue that manufacturer even while receiving L&I benefits. If you recover damages from a third party, L&I has a lien against the recovery for benefits paid.
If an employer somehow operates without required L&I coverage, the worker may also have additional legal options outside the workers' comp system.
If you were hurt at work in Washington
Taking the right steps after a workplace injury in Washington protects your claim and your benefits.
Report immediately, in writing. Tell your supervisor or employer about the injury as soon as it happens, and document it in writing. Include the date, time, location, and how the injury occurred. Keep a copy.
Get medical care from a certified provider. Choose an L&I-certified doctor, urgent care clinic, or hospital. Tell the provider the injury is work-related from the first visit. The provider can file the Report of Accident for you at the appointment.
File your own report, and know where it goes. While your doctor often files on your behalf, do not rely solely on someone else to meet the 1-year deadline. You can file the Report of Accident yourself through L&I's FileFast tool at lni.wa.gov or by calling 1-877-561-FILE (3453). If your employer is self-insured, your Report of Accident goes to that employer rather than to L&I, so confirm which applies to you.
Document everything. Keep records of all medical appointments, treatments, prescriptions, and communications with L&I or your employer. Photograph any visible injuries. Save all wage and earnings records.
Follow your treatment plan. Attend all medical appointments and follow your doctor's instructions. Failure to comply with treatment can affect your benefit eligibility.
Consult a workers' compensation attorney if disputes arise. If L&I denies your claim, disputes the extent of your disability, or closes your claim prematurely, you have the right to protest and appeal, and only 60 days from the day the order was communicated to you in which to act. Formal appeals go to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA), which is not part of L&I. It is a separate three-member tribunal appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate: a public-member lawyer who chairs it, a representative of workers, and a representative of employers (R.C.W. 51.52.010). The notice of appeal is filed with the board and the director, and filing it with either one satisfies the requirement (R.C.W. 51.52.060). For a claim closure or a permanent disability decision, get a free case evaluation from a Washington workers' comp lawyer on filing the BIIA appeal inside those 60 days (attorney advertising).
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Workers' compensation rules vary by state and change, and benefit amounts and deadlines depend on the specific facts. For advice about a specific claim, consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney in Washington.
Related:
- Workers' Compensation Laws by State: full 50-state hub
- Washington Statute of Limitations: deadlines for other civil claims in Washington
More Washington Laws
- Washington At-Will Employment Laws
- Washington Car Accident Laws
- Washington Final Paycheck Laws
- Washington Slip and Fall Laws
- Washington Statute of Limitations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is workers' comp required in Washington?
Yes. All Washington employers with one or more workers must provide coverage. Washington is a monopolistic state fund, so coverage comes exclusively from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) or an L&I-approved self-insurance program. Private workers' comp insurers are not permitted in Washington.
How much does workers' comp pay in Washington?
Time-loss (wage-replacement) benefits are 60-75% of your gross monthly wage, scaled by family status. For a date of injury on or after July 1, 2026: 60% unmarried with no children, rising in steps (65%, 67%, 69%, 71%, 73%) to a 75% maximum for unmarried with six or more children or married with five or more. Claims with a date of injury before July 1, 2026 use the prior schedule (60% single, 65% married, plus 2% per child up to 75%). L&I adjusts the dollar maximum caps annually. Medical benefits cover all reasonably necessary treatment at no cost to you.
How long does workers' comp last in Washington?
Time-loss benefits continue as long as you are temporarily totally disabled and your doctor certifies you cannot work. When your condition stabilizes (reaches maximum medical improvement), L&I evaluates you for permanent partial or permanent total disability. Most claims resolve at that point, either with a closing order or an agreed settlement.
How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in Washington?
For a traumatic injury, you must file a Report of Accident within 1 year of the date of injury, and it must reach L&I or, if your employer is self-insured, that employer. For occupational diseases, the deadline is 2 years from the date you received written notice from a physician or licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner that the disease exists and that a claim may be filed. Occupational hearing loss claims instead run 2 years from your last injurious exposure to occupational noise. Missing these deadlines generally bars your claim, so file as early as possible.
How long do I have to appeal an L&I decision in Washington?
You have 60 days from the day L&I's order, decision, or award was communicated to you to file a notice of appeal with the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (R.C.W. 51.52.060). The Board is a separate agency from L&I, not a division of it. Filing the notice with either the Board or the department satisfies the filing requirement, but the 60-day clock is strict, so do not wait.
Can I choose my own doctor in Washington?
Yes, in most cases. You may choose any provider certified by L&I to treat industrial insurance claims. If your employer has an L&I-approved managed-care arrangement, your initial choices may be guided by that network, but you still have a genuine choice of providers within it.
Can I be fired while on workers' comp in Washington?
Washington law prohibits employers from discriminating or retaliating against a worker for filing a workers' comp claim or exercising rights under the Industrial Insurance Act (R.C.W. 51.48.025). However, Washington is an at-will employment state, and employers can terminate workers for legitimate reasons unrelated to the claim. If you believe you were fired because of your claim, consult an employment attorney promptly.
Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury in Washington?
Generally no. Workers' compensation through L&I is the exclusive remedy against your employer for work-related injuries. You give up the right to sue your employer in exchange for guaranteed no-fault benefits. Exceptions exist for intentional assault by the employer and claims against third parties (non-employers) whose negligence contributed to your injury.
Updates
Corrected the occupational disease filing deadline to run from written physician or nurse-practitioner notice (with the last-exposure rule now shown as applying to hearing loss claims only), replaced the incorrect Form SIF-2 with the Report of Accident and noted that workers of self-insured employers file with their employer rather than L&I, clarified that the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals is independent of L&I, and added the 60-day deadline to appeal an L&I order.
Updated the time-loss wage-replacement schedule to RCW 51.32.060(1), the current tiered schedule for claims with a date of injury on or after July 1, 2026, and noted the prior formula still governs earlier claims.
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Revised Code of Washington
§ 51.04.010Declaration of police power—Jurisdiction of courts abolished.In force
The common law system governing the remedy of workers against employers for injuries received in employment is inconsistent with modern industrial conditions. In practice it proves to be economically unwise and unfair. Its administration has produced the result that little of the cost of the employer has reached the worker and that little only at large expense to the public. The remedy of the worker has been uncertain, slow and inadequate. Injuries in such works, formerly occasional, have become frequent and inevitable. The welfare of the state depends upon its industries, and even more upon the welfare of its wage worker.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-07 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
§ 51.28.050Time limitation for filing application or enforcing claim for injury.In force
No application shall be valid or claim thereunder enforceable unless filed within one year after the day upon which the injury occurred or the rights of dependents or beneficiaries accrued, except as provided in RCW 51.28.055 and 51.28.025(5).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 29 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Wilbur v. Department of Labor & Industries (Court of Appeals of Washington 1984, 38 Wash. App. 553)“…le his application, RCW 51.28-.020, in a timely manner, RCW 51.28.050; or (2) whether the Department's failur…”
- Rector v. Department of Labor & Industries (Court of Appeals of Washington 1991, 61 Wash. App. 385)“…n that Rector's 1986 claim was not timely filed pursuant to RCW 51.28.050. That statute reads as follows:…”
- Kovacs v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 2016, 186 Wash. 2d 95)“…hin one year after the day upon which the injury occurred.” RCW 51.28.050. Generally, the day of injury is exclud…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 51.28.055Time limitation for filing claim for occupational disease—Notice—Hearing loss claims—Rules. (Effective until June 30, 2027.)In force
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section for claims filed for occupational hearing loss, claims for occupational disease or infection to be valid and compensable must be filed within two years following the date the worker had written notice from a physician or a licensed *advanced registered nurse practitioner: (a) Of the existence of his or her occupational disease, and (b) that a claim for disability benefits may be filed. The notice shall also contain a statement that the worker has two years from the date of the notice to file a claim. The physician or licensed *advanced registered nurse practitioner shall file the notice with the department. The department shall send a copy to the worker and to the self-insurer if the worker's employer is self-insured. However, a claim is valid if it is filed within two years from the date of death of the worker suffering from an occupational disease.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 22 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2023
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Department of Labor & Industries v. Estate of MacMillan (Washington Supreme Court 1991, 117 Wash. 2d 222)“…as not filed within the 2-year statute of limitations under RCW 51.28.055. Each widow appealed to the Board of In…”
- Magee v. Rite Aid (Court of Appeals of Washington 2012, 167 Wash. App. 60)“…cian or a licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner.” RCW 51.28.055(1). ¶5 Magee asserted she was entitle…”
- Purdy-Peterson v. Department of Labor & Industries (Court of Appeals of Washington 2008, 146 Wash. App. 226)“…6 As it existed at the time of Mr. Purdy’s death, 1 former RCW 51.28.055 (1984) stated: Claims for occupationa…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 51.32.060Permanent total disability compensation—Personal attendant.In force
(1) For claims with a date of injury or disease manifestation on or after July 1, 2026, when the supervisor of industrial insurance shall determine that permanent total disability results from the injury, the worker shall receive monthly during the period of such disability, except as provided in RCW 51.32.010, a percentage of the worker's wages, as follows: Worker's status Percentage of the worker's wages Unmarried with no children 60 percent Unmarried with one child or married with no children 65 percent Unmarried with two children or married with one child 67 percent Unmarried with three children or married with two children 69 percent Unmarried with four children or married with three children 71 percent Unmarried with five children or married with four children 73 percent Unmarried with six or more children or married with five or more children 75 percent (2) For claims with a date of injury or disease manifestation before July 1, 2026, when the supervisor of industrial insurance shall determine that permanent total disability results from the injury, the worker shall receive monthly during the period of such disability: (a) If married at the time of…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 74 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2023
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Cockle v. Dept. of Labor and Industries (Washington Supreme Court 2001, 16 P.3d 583)“…the time of the injury. See RCW 51.32.090(1) (referencing RCW 51.32.060) and RCW 51.32.090(3)(a)(ii). We are as…”
- Ravsten v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 1987, 108 Wash. 2d 143)“…nthly during the period of such disability" a pension under RCW 51.32.060, what evidence is required to establish…”
- Hubbard v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 2000, 140 Wash. 2d 35)“…32.090, an adjustment to a PPD award, a pension pursuant to RCW 51.32.060, or some combination of these benefits.…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 51.48.025Retaliation by employer prohibited—Investigation—Remedies.In forcecited in 3 of our articles
(1) No employer may discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because such employee has filed or communicated to the employer an intent to file a claim for compensation or exercises any rights provided under this title. However, nothing in this section prevents an employer from taking any action against a worker for other reasons including, but not limited to, the worker's failure to observe health or safety standards adopted by the employer, or the frequency or nature of the worker's job-related accidents. (2) Any employee who believes that he or she has been discharged or otherwise discriminated against by an employer in violation of this section may file a complaint with the director alleging discrimination within ninety days of the date of the alleged violation. Upon receipt of such complaint, the director shall cause an investigation to be made as the director deems appropriate. Within ninety days of the receipt of a complaint filed under this section, the director shall notify the complainant of his or her determination.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 46 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2022
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Wilmot v. Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Washington Supreme Court 1991, 118 Wash. 2d 46)“…laim has a cause of action independent from that set out in RCW 51.48.025(2). We hold that plaintiffs may assert…”
- Robel v. Roundup Corp. (Washington Supreme Court 2002, 148 Wash. 2d 35)“…(3)), retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim (RCW 51.48.025(1)), negligent and intentional inflicti…”
- Kirby v. City of Tacoma (Court of Appeals of Washington 2004, 98 P.3d 827)“…Robel, 148 Wash.2d at 48-49 , 59 P.3d 611 (citing RCW 51.48.025(1)). Kirby argues that Robel created…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Washington Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report, Washington At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
§ 51.32.080Permanent partial disability—Specified—Unspecified, rules for classification—Injury after permanent partial disability.In force
(1)(a) Until July 1, 1993, for the permanent partial disabilities here specifically described, the injured worker shall receive compensation as follows: LOSS BY AMPUTATION Of leg above the knee joint with short thigh stump (3" or less below the tuberosity of ischium). . . . $54,000.00 Of leg at or above knee joint with functional stump. . . . 48,600.00 Of leg below knee joint. . . . 43,200.00 Of leg at ankle (Syme). . . . 37,800.00 Of foot at mid-metatarsals. . . . 18,900.00 Of great toe with resection of metatarsal bone. . . . 11,340.00 Of great toe at metatarsophalangeal joint. . . . 6,804.00 Of great toe at interphalangeal joint. . . . 3,600.00 Of lesser toe (2nd to 5th) with resection of metatarsal bone. . . . 4,140.00 Of lesser toe at metatarsophalangeal joint. . . . 2,016.00 Of lesser toe at proximal interphalangeal joint. . . . 1,494.00 Of lesser toe at distal interphalangeal joint. . . . 378.00 Of arm at or above the deltoid insertion or by disarticulation at the shoulder. . . . 54,000.00 Of arm at any point from below the deltoid insertion to below the elbow joint at the insertion of the biceps tendon. . . .
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 89 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Weyerhaeuser Company v. Tri (Washington Supreme Court 1991, 117 Wash. 2d 128)“…termining the amount of compensation due an injured worker. RCW 51.32.080(3) provides: Should a worker rec…”
- Stuckey v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 1996, 129 Wash. 2d 289)“…lity pension payments, required by RCW 51.32.220. We hold RCW 51.32.080(4) applies to all situations where perm…”
- Clauson v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 1996, 130 Wash. 2d 580)“…d to additional permanent partial disability benefits under RCW 51.32.080(3), adjusted for benefits already paid.…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 51.28.020Worker's application for compensation—Attending provider to aid in. (Effective until June 30, 2027.)In force
(1)(a) Where a worker is entitled to compensation under this title he or she shall file with the department or his or her self-insured employer, as the case may be, his or her application for such, together with the certificate of the physician, osteopathic physician, chiropractor, naturopath, podiatric physician, optometrist, dentist, licensed *advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or psychologist in claims solely for mental health conditions, who attended him or her. An application form developed by the department shall include a notice specifying the worker's right to receive health services from a provider of the worker's choice under RCW 51.36.010(2)(a), and listing the types of providers authorized to provide these services.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 22 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Shafer v. Department of Labor & Industries (Court of Appeals of Washington 2007, 140 Wash. App. 1)“…the subject. 18 Those resources here are revealing. ¶21 RCW 51.28.020 imposes upon attending physicians an ex…”
- Kustura v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 2010, 169 Wash. 2d 81)“…e Department within one year from the date of the accident. RCW 51.28.020, .050. If a worker disagrees with the D…”
- Shafer v. Department (Washington Supreme Court 2009, 213 P.3d 591)“…rights under the IIA and lend assistance in filing a claim. RCW 51.28.020(1)(b). Physicians are also required to…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 51.52.010Board of industrial insurance appeals. (Effective until June 30, 2027.)In force
There shall be a "board of industrial insurance appeals," hereinafter called the "board," consisting of three members appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, as hereinafter provided. One shall be a representative of the public and a lawyer, appointed from a mutually agreed to list of not less than three active or judicial members of the Washington state bar association, submitted to the governor by the two organizations defined below, and such member shall be the chairperson of said board. The second member shall be a representative of the majority of workers engaged in employment under this title and selected from a list of not less than three names submitted to the governor by an organization, statewide in scope, which through its affiliates embraces a cross section and a majority of the organized labor of the state. The third member shall be a representative of employers under this title, and appointed from a list of at least three names submitted to the governor by a recognized statewide organization of employers, representing a majority of employers.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 16 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2024
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Cockle v. Dept. of Labor and Industries (Washington Supreme Court 2001, 16 P.3d 583)“…he Board, as a representative of both labor and management, RCW 51.52.010, has considerable expertise in industri…”
- COBRA ROOFING SERVICE, INC. v. Department of Labor & Industries (Court of Appeals of Washington 2004, 97 P.3d 17)“…hear appeals from Department orders, decisions, or awards. RCW 51.52.010; .050. A party aggrieved by a Board dec…”
- Hill v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 1978, 90 Wash. 2d 276)“…xclusive method of appointment to the Board is contained in RCW 51.52.010 which specifies that "All appointments…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 51.52.060Notice of appeal—Time—Cross-appeal—Departmental options.In force
(1)(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this section, a worker, beneficiary, employer, health services provider, or other person aggrieved by an order, decision, or award of the department must, before he or she appeals to the courts, file with the board and the director, by mail or personally, within sixty days from the day on which a copy of the order, decision, or award was communicated to such person, a notice of appeal to the board. However, a health services provider or other person aggrieved by a department order or decision making demand, whether with or without penalty, solely for repayment of sums paid to a provider of medical, dental, vocational, or other health services rendered to an industrially injured worker must, before he or she appeals to the courts, file with the board and the director, by mail or personally, within twenty days from the day on which a copy of the order or decision was communicated to the health services provider upon whom the department order or decision was served, a notice of appeal to the board.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at app.leg.wa.gov
Cited in 78 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Tollycraft Yachts Corp. v. McCoy (Washington Supreme Court 1993, 122 Wash. 2d 426)“…deadlines in which the Department exercises that authority. RCW 51.52.060 states, in part: That the department,…”
- Rodriguez v. Department of Labor & Industries (Washington Supreme Court 1975, 85 Wash. 2d 949)“…closing order was communicated to appellant as required by RCW 51.52.060. Appellant appealéd to superior court.…”
- Vasquez v. Department of Labor & Industries (Court of Appeals of Washington 1986, 44 Wash. App. 379)“…Court has construed "communicated" in the context of former RCW 51.52.060 2 to mean "only that a copy of the ord…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
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Sources and References
- Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Claims(lni.wa.gov).gov
- R.C.W. Title 51 (Industrial Insurance Act)(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
- R.C.W. 51.32.060 — Time-loss compensation formula(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
- R.C.W. 51.28.050 — Claim filing deadline(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
- R.C.W. 51.28.055 - Time limitation for filing claim for occupational disease; notice; hearing loss claims(app.leg.wa.gov)
- R.C.W. 51.28.020 - Worker application for compensation; filing with the department or self-insured employer(app.leg.wa.gov)
- R.C.W. 51.52.010 - Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (composition and appointment)(app.leg.wa.gov)
- R.C.W. 51.52.060 - Notice of appeal; sixty-day deadline(app.leg.wa.gov)
- Washington L&I - File a Claim (Report of Accident, FileFast, 1-877-561-FILE)(www.lni.wa.gov)
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