We previously brought you news regarding the 2018 Washington law that created a presumption of causation of an occupational disease for workers at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Under this law, if a person who worked at least one shift at Hanford develops any number of illnesses known to be linked to exposure to chemical gases…

The confidentiality of communications between attorneys and their clients, commonly referred to as attorney-client privilege, is a fundamental and critical aspect of the American legal system. Federal and State Courts consistently protect the sanctity of exchanges between attorneys and those they represent. In doing so, the Courts have described the attorney-client privilege as the bedrock…

For those of you who may have heard rumblings that “preponderance IMEs” will no longer be permitted, recent statutory amendments in Senate Bill 6440 signed into law by Governor Inslee on March 27, 2020, confirm that the circumstances under which an independent medical examination (IME) can be requested will change to some degree. Effective January…

As mentioned in our most recent blog, “How to address Washington claims from telecommuters,” in light of the rise of telecommuting employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers and claims adjusters need to be aware of the potential for increased claims involving injuries sustained away from the employer’s typical “premises.” In Oregon, a compensable injury…

Given Washington’s stay-at-home orders, many employers made quick arrangements to have a significant amount of their workforce “telecommute” from home. While this change to remote work is generally positive (allowing workers to keep jobs, assist the economy and keep vital work functions moving despite the COVID-19 impact on the world at large), employers may struggle…