Mason v. GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORP.

¶1 Mary Mason and the Department of Labor and Industries (Department) appeal the superior court’s calculation of her surviving spouse pension under the Industrial Insurance Act, Title 51 RCW. Mary 1 and the Department primarily argue that (1) the legislature intended to provide wage based death benefits to survivors of voluntarily retired workers who die from occupational diseases and (2) because former RCW 51.32.050 (1986) conflicts with RCW 51.32.180, the conflict should be resolved in favor of the survivor. We reverse the superior court and hold that Mary’s survivor benefits should be…