Belling v. Wash. State Emp't SEC. Dep't

González, J.

¶ 1 Under some circumstances, when a person is forced to litigate to recover an award, others who seek to share in that award must also share in the attorney fees. This is an exception to the American rule that parties generally pay for only their own attorneys. Under Washington statutes, when a person receives both unemployment and workers' compensation benefits for the same period of time, the unemployment benefits must be repaid. RCW 50.20.190. There is an exception, however, for situations when "equity and good conscience" makes repayment unfair under the circumstances. RCW…