Price v. Department of Labor & Industries

The primary issue in this action is whether, in order for psychological injuries or conditions to be compensable under the workers' compensation act, the injury or condition must be proven by expert testimony based at least in part on objective findings. If compensation may be awarded on the basis of medical testimony regarding wholly subjective symptoms, the issue then becomes whether the jury in this case was given accurate instructions on this rule of law.

We hold that the objective-subjective distinction is inappropriate in actions to recover for psychological injuries and that petitioner…