Goodman v. Boeing Co.

In Reese v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 107 Wn.2d 563, 571-72, 731 P.2d 497 (1987), this court held the Industrial Insurance Act (IIA) (RCW 51.04.010 and RCW 51.32.010, the statute providing workers’ compensation) does not bar an action for handicap discrimination where the underlying disability arose in the workplace. Today we are asked to consider whether a plaintiffs recovery under Reese may extend to separate physical or emotional injuries flowing from that discrimination. We hold the IIA does not bar such recovery.

In 1987, Plaintiff Janice Goodman suffered a workplace injury to her hands and…