Author: Christine Olson

October 17, 2023
by Christine Olson

All Washington Self-Insured Employers Should Be Aware of (And Attend if Possible) the Department of Labor & Industries “Listening Sessions” Regarding the Newly Enacted “Bad Faith” Laws

The Washington legislature passed one of two pieces of legislation that creates new duties and standards for some self-insured employers. Substitute House Bill 1521 is…

April 26, 2023
by Christine Olson

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries Announces Changes to Covid-19 Presumption and IME Rules

As the saying goes, change is constant. Never, it seems, has this saying been more applicable to Washington workers’ compensation laws and claims administration. The…

November 9, 2022
by Christine Olson

Washington’s Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Limits Workers’ Ability to Add Occupational Disease Conditions to Industrial Injury Claims in Tentatively Significant Decision

In some Washington workers’ compensation cases, a significant hurdle can be determining whether a condition in a worker’s claim resulted from an industrial injury or…

June 15, 2022
by Christine Olson

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries Issues Q&A for New IME Rules and Guidelines

The Department of Labor & Industries’ new rules and guidelines for independent medical examinations (IME) went into effect on April 23, 2022. These rules and…

February 16, 2022
by Christine Olson

Washington’s Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Provides Some Guidance in Applying Maphet

Ever since the Washington Court of Appeals issued the Clark County v. Maphet decision in late 2019, employers have struggled with the ramifications and implications…

October 27, 2021
by Christine Olson

In re: Katherine Bard: A Tentatively Significant Board Decision

Every year, Washington’s Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals determines whether any of the decisions or orders issued that year should be designated as a “significant…

June 2, 2021
by Christine Olson

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries Issues Updated SIF-2 Forms and Addendum to Prior SIF-2 Forms for Use by June 30, 2021

While most of the focus in workers’ compensation’s recent legislative developments and changes are focused on those brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it…

February 3, 2021
by Christine Olson

As COVID-19 Pandemic Continues, Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries Continues to Adapt

As the COVID-19 pandemic endures and uncertainty surrounds vaccine roll outs, the virus continues to impact our everyday lives and how we conduct our businesses….

October 7, 2020
by Christine Olson

Washington Court of Appeals opinion serves as a strong reminder to double check filing requirements for appealing BIIA orders

On September 8, 2020, the Washington Court of Appeals published a decision that serves as a reminder of the importance of double checking state and…

June 10, 2020
by Christine Olson

Back to Basics: While easy to overlook during the COVID-19 pandemic, double checking details in Washington Claims is still as important as ever

As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to occur and affect people and businesses, it is easy to get swept up in the breadth of complexities…