| Washington Supreme Court will hear workers' compensation case
October 27, 2004 News Release - AWB
OLYMPIA-Yesterday the Washington State Supreme Court accepted the amicus curiae (friend-of-the-court) brief filed last week by the Association of Washington Business (AWB), Associated General Contractors of Washington (AGC) and the Washington State Farm Bureau (WSFB) in a critical workers' compensation case, Gallo v. Labor & Industries.
The Court accepted the brief despite strenuous objections from the plaintiffs' attorneys stating that AWB, AGC and WSFB should not be allowed to present its views on workers' compensation to the Supreme Court.
AWB, AGC and WSFB filed the brief to urge the Supreme Court to help stop the bleeding in our state's costly workers' compensation system by overturning, or refusing to extend, the landmark 2001 decision Cockle v. Labor & Industries, which expanded time-loss benefits to include some fringe benefits, like health insurance.
This interpretation changed over 30 years of workers' compensation law in our state and has cost the workers' compensation fund hundred of millions of dollars. The Supreme Court decision also played a factor in the double-digit rate increases that have been proposed in workers' compensation over the last few years.
"By accepting our amicus curiae brief, the Court will now have the benefit of the arguments we make about the effect of Cockle and its line of reasoning on the workers' compensation system and job providers," says Amber Carter, AWB's Governmental Affairs Director for workers' compensation. "Hopefully the Court will understand the dramatic effects its decisions have on the business climate when it expands workers' comp benefits past the levels set by the Legislature."
The case is set for oral argument on November 16, 2004 in Olympia, with a decision expected in late summer, 2005.
Additional photos upon request.
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) is Washington's oldest and largest statewide business organization. It celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year and is Washington's Chamber of Commerce. AWB's 4,350 members employ over 600,000 in the private sector of which 85 percent are small businesses. Over 80 local chambers and 120 trade and professional associations affiliate with AWB.
Shawn Sullivan Media Relations Washington Business Magazine Association of Washington Business 1-800-521-9325 email: shawns@awb.org (360) 943-1600
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