PERMANENT RULES
INSURANCE APPEALS
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: To revise the board's rules of practice and procedure by amending WAC 263-12-016, 263-12-018, 263-12-115, 263-12-135, and 263-12-165, and by adding new WAC 263-12-092, regarding mediation conferences.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 263-12-016, 263-12-018, 263-12-115, 263-12-135, and 263-12-165.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 51.52.020.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 07-21-044 on October 10, 2007.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 1, Amended 5, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 5, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: December 14, 2007.
Thomas E. Egan
Chairperson
(2) In a proceeding, the following privileges apply: (a) A mediation party may refuse to disclose and may prevent any other person from disclosing a statement; (b) A mediator may refuse to disclose and may prevent any other person from disclosing a statement of the mediator; and (c) A non-party participant may refuse to disclose and may prevent any other person from disclosing a statement of the non-party participant.
(3) Evidence or information that is otherwise admissible or subject to discovery does not become inadmissible or protected from discovery solely by reason of its disclosure or use in a mediation unless otherwise privileged by section 2(a)-(c) above.
(4) Mediation conferences are confidential and non-parties may be excluded from the proceedings.
[]
(2) General information concerning the board may be obtained at its headquarters, 2430 Chandler Ct. S.W., P.O. Box 42401, Olympia, Washington 98504-2401.
(3) Public records officer. The public records officer
shall be responsible for the following: The implementation of
the board's rules and regulations regarding release of public
records, coordinating the staff of the board in this regard,
and generally insuring compliance by the staff with the public
records disclosure requirements of chapter 42.((17))56 RCW.
(4) Indices are available providing identifying information as to the following: (a) Final decisions and orders of the board, including concurring and dissenting opinions; (b) proposed decisions and orders of the board's industrial appeals judges; (c) in addition, any indices maintained for intra-agency use are available for public inspection and copying.
(5) No fee will be charged for inspection of public records. Inspection will be during office hours in a space provided by the board and must be accomplished without excessive interference with the essential functions of the agency, and without causing damage or disorganization to public records.
(6) A fee shall be charged for copies of documents made with the board's equipment in an amount necessary to cover the cost to the agency of providing such service.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.020. 00-23-021, § 263-12-016, filed 11/7/00, effective 12/8/00; 91-13-038, § 263-12-016, filed 6/14/91, effective 7/15/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.104, 51.52.020 and chapters 51.48 and 42.17 RCW. 86-03-021 (Order 20), § 263-12-016, filed 1/10/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.41.060(4) and 51.52.020. 83-01-001 (Order 12), § 263-12-016, filed 12/2/82. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.020. 82-03-031 (Order 11), § 263-12-016, filed 1/18/82; Order 10, § 263-12-016, filed 4/5/76; Order 7, § 263-12-016, filed 4/4/75.]
(2) Pursuant to RCW 42.((17.260))56.070, the board may
delete identifying details when it makes available or
publishes any public record in any case where there is reason
to believe that disclosure of such details would be an
invasion of personal privacy.
(3) Denials of requests for public records will be
accompanied by a written statement specifying the reason for
the denial. A statement of the specific exemption in chapter
42.((17))56 RCW authorizing withholding the record and a brief
explanation of how the exemption applies to the record held
will be included.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.104, 51.52.020 and chapters 51.48 and 42.17 RCW. 86-03-021 (Order 20), § 263-12-018, filed 1/10/86; Order 7, § 263-12-018, filed 4/4/75.]
(2) Order of presentation of evidence.
(a) In any appeal under either the Industrial Insurance Act, the Worker and Community Right to Know Act or the Crime Victims Compensation Act, the appealing party shall initially introduce all evidence in his or her case-in-chief except that in an appeal from an order of the department that alleges fraud or willful misrepresentation the department or self-insured employer shall initially introduce all evidence in its case-in-chief.
(b) In all appeals subject to the provisions of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, the department shall initially introduce all evidence in its case-in-chief.
(c) After the party with the initial burden has presented his or her case-in-chief, the other parties may then introduce the evidence necessary to their cases-in-chief. In the event there is more than one other party, they may either present their cases-in-chief successively or may join in their presentation. Rebuttal evidence shall be received in the same order. Witnesses may be called out of turn in contravention of this rule only by agreement of all parties.
(3) Objections and motions to strike. Objections to the admission or exclusion of evidence shall be in short form, stating the legal grounds of objection relied upon. Extended argument or debate shall not be permitted.
(4) Rulings. The industrial appeals judge on objection or on his or her own motion shall exclude all irrelevant or unduly repetitious evidence and statements that are inadmissible pursuant to WAC 263-12-095(5). All rulings upon objections to the admissibility of evidence shall be made in accordance with rules of evidence applicable in the superior courts of this state.
(5) Interlocutory appeals to the board - Confidentiality of trade secrets. A direct appeal to the board shall be allowed as a matter of right from any ruling of an industrial appeals judge adverse to the employer concerning the confidentiality of trade secrets in appeals under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.
(6) Interlocutory review by a chief industrial appeals judge.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section interlocutory rulings of the industrial appeals judge are not subject to direct review by the board. A party to an appeal or a witness who has made a motion to quash a subpoena to appear at board related proceedings, may within five working days of receiving an adverse ruling from an industrial appeals judge request a review by a chief industrial appeals judge or his or her designee. Such request for review shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by an affidavit in support of the request and setting forth the grounds for the request, including the reasons for the necessity of an immediate review during the course of conference or hearing proceedings. Within ten working days of receipt of the written request, the chief industrial appeals judge, or designee, may decline to review the ruling based upon the written request and supporting affidavit; or, after such review as he or she deems appropriate, may either affirm or reverse the ruling, or refer the matter to the industrial appeals judge for further consideration.
(b) Failure to request review of an interlocutory ruling shall not constitute a waiver of the party's objection, nor shall an unfavorable response to the request preclude a party from subsequently renewing the objection whenever appropriate.
(c) No conference or hearing shall be interrupted for the purpose of filing a request for review of the industrial appeals judge's rulings; nor shall any scheduled proceedings be canceled pending a response to the request.
(7) Recessed hearings. Where, for good cause, all parties to an appeal are unable to present all their evidence at the time and place originally set for hearing, the industrial appeals judge may recess the hearing to the same or a different location so as to insure that all parties have reasonable opportunity to present their respective cases. No written "notice of hearing" shall be required as to any recessed hearing.
(8) Failure to present evidence when due. If any party is due to present certain evidence at a hearing or recessed hearing and, for any reason on its part, fails to appear and present such evidence, the industrial appeals judge may conclude the hearing and issue a proposed decision and order on the record, or recess or set over the proceedings for further hearing for the receipt of such evidence.
(9) Offers of proof in colloquy. When an objection to a question is sustained an offer of proof in question and answer form shall be permitted unless the question is clearly objectionable on any theory of the case.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.020. 03-02-038, § 263-12-115, filed 12/24/02, effective 1/24/03; 00-23-021, § 263-12-115, filed 11/7/00, effective 12/8/00; 91-13-038, § 263-12-115, filed 6/14/91, effective 7/15/91; 84-08-036 (Order 17), § 263-12-115, filed 3/30/84. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.41.060(4) and 51.52.020. 83-01-001 (Order 12), § 263-12-115, filed 12/2/82. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.020. 82-03-031 (Order 11), § 263-12-115, filed 1/18/82; Order 9, § 263-12-115, filed 8/8/75; Order 7, § 263-12-115, filed 4/4/75; Order 4, § 263-12-115, filed 6/9/72; General Order 3, Rule 7.5, filed 10/29/65; General Order 2, Rule 7.4, filed 6/12/63; General Order 1, Rule 5.10, filed 3/23/60. Formerly WAC 296-12-115.]
The record in any appeal disposed of by order denying appeal or order granting relief on the record as provided in RCW 51.52.080, shall include those documents found in the Department record that are relevant to the board's disposition.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.020. 00-23-021, § 263-12-135, filed 11/7/00, effective 12/8/00; Order 4, § 263-12-135, filed 6/9/72; Rule 8.2, filed 6/12/63; Rule 6.2, filed 3/23/60, amended by General Order 3, Rule 8.2, filed 10/29/65. Formerly WAC 296-12-135.]
(b) For the ordered payment of attorney fees as provided by RCW 51.32.185, the board shall set the attorney fee in a manner consistent with applicable provisions of subsections (2) and (3) below.
(2) Fee fixing criteria. All attorney fees fixed by the board, where application therefor has been made, shall be established in accordance with Rule 1.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct and the following general principles:
(a) Only one fee shall be fixed for legal services in any one appeal regardless of the number of attorneys representing the worker, crime victim or beneficiary, except that in cases of multiple beneficiaries represented by one or multiple attorneys the board has the discretion to set more than one attorney fee if so requested.
(b) The board shall defer fixing a fee until such time as information, which it deems sufficient upon which to base a fee, is available.
(c) A fee shall be fixed only in those cases where the attorney's services are instrumental in securing additional benefits to the worker, crime victim or beneficiary or in sustaining the worker's or beneficiary's right to benefits upon an appeal by another party.
(d) Where increased compensation is obtained, the fee may be fixed without regard to any medical benefits secured.
(e) In setting all fees, the following factors shall be carefully considered and weighed:
(i) Nature of the appeal.
(ii) Novelty and complexity of the issues presented or other unusual circumstances.
(iii) Time and labor expended.
(iv) Skill and diligence in conducting the case.
(v) Extent and nature of the relief. In computing the extent of additional benefits, or the retention of benefits awarded by the department, the cost to the worker, crime victim or beneficiary of the litigation, i.e., medical examination and witness fees, shall be first deducted and the net benefits considered.
(vi) The amount of accrued time-loss payments as a result of proceedings before the board.
(vii) The prevalent practice of charging contingency fees in cases before the board.
(viii) The worker's or crime victim's circumstances and the remedial social purposes of the Industrial Insurance Act and of the Crime Victims Compensation Act, which are intended to provide sure and adequate relief to injured workers and crime victims and their families.
(f) In those cases where the payment of accumulated benefits is insufficient to allow payment of the fee set and allow the worker, crime victim or beneficiary to retain a reasonable monetary amount, the board may also set the schedule and manner in which such fee shall be payable.
(3) Amount of fees.
(a) Where additional compensation for permanent partial disability, loss of earning power, or total temporary disability is obtained as a result of settlement of the appeal on agreement of the parties prior to presentation of testimony, a fee of from 10 to 25 percent of the increased compensation due the worker, crime victim or beneficiary on the date of the board's order on agreement of the parties and by reason thereof shall be fixed after considering all factors.
(b) Where additional compensation for permanent partial disability, loss of earning power or total temporary disability is obtained after the presentation of testimony, a fee of from 10 to 30 percent of the increased compensation shall be fixed after considering all factors. This provision shall also apply to retroactive permanent total disability (pension) benefits.
(c) Where no additional compensation is obtained, but the worker or crime victim is relieved of the payment for medical benefits, a fee of from 10 to 25 percent of the amount the worker or crime victim is so relieved of paying shall be fixed after considering all factors.
(d) Where permanent total disability (pension) benefits are obtained for the worker or crime victim, or death benefits are obtained for survivors of a deceased worker or crime victim, 10 percent of the first $40,000.00 of the pension reserve as calculated by the department of labor and industries, and 15 percent of the pension reserve in excess of $40,000.00 shall constitute the usual fee, which may be decreased or increased after weighing all factors.
(e) Where indeterminate additional compensation is obtained because the claimant is successful in establishing a proper claim for benefits which was previously rejected or for which responsibility was denied, a fee in accordance with the preceding principles and factors shall be fixed.
(f) Where, upon an appeal by a party other than the worker or his or her beneficiary, the right to receive the benefits awarded by the department is affirmed, a fee in accordance with the preceding principles and factors shall be fixed.
(4) Excess fee unlawful. Where the board, pursuant to written application by an attorney, worker, crime victim or beneficiary, fixes a reasonable fee for the services of the attorney in proceedings before this board, it is unlawful for the attorney to charge or receive any fee for such services in excess of that fee so fixed, per RCW 51.52.132.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.52.020. 95-12-062, § 263-12-165, filed 6/5/95, effective 7/6/95; 91-13-038, § 263-12-165, filed 6/14/91, effective 7/15/91; 82-03-031 (Order 11), § 263-12-165, filed 1/18/82; Order 7, § 263-12-165, filed 4/4/75; Order 4, § 263-12-165, filed 6/9/72; Subsection 1 from General Order 3, Rule 9.1, filed 10/29/65; General Order 2, Rule 9.2, filed 6/12/63; General Order 1, Rule 6.4, filed 3/23/60; Subsection (2), General Order 3, Rule 9.2, filed 10/29/65; General Order 9.1, filed 6/12/63; General Order 1, Rule 6.4, filed 3/23/60. Formerly WAC 296-12-165.]