Bill > SB5997

This bill modifies existing Washington state law concerning industrial insurance claims handled by self-insurers, which are companies that are approved to manage their own workers' compensation claims instead of paying into a state fund. Specifically, it changes the timelines for self-insurers to either allow or deny a claim. If a self-insurer allows a claim, they must now issue an "allowance order" within 30 days of receiving the claim notice, and this order can only state that the claim is allowed. If a self-insurer fails to act within 60 days of a claim being filed, they must notify the department (likely the Department of Labor and Industries) and begin paying provisional time loss benefits if the worker is eligible, at which point the department will then decide whether to allow or deny the claim. If a self-insurer denies a claim, they must request the denial within 60 days of notice; if they fail to do so, the department will intervene and decide the claim. The bill also adjusts the timeframe for self-insurers to provide written notice of a claim denial to the claimant and the department from 30 to 60 days, and clarifies that the first payment of income benefits must be made within 14 days of claim notice.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5997&Year=2025&Initiative=false