Regnier v. Department of Labor & Industries

RCW 51.32.220 provides that when a recipient of state industrial insurance benefits also begins receiving social security disability benefits for the same injury, the state benefits will be reduced so that the total benefits received will not exceed 80 percent of the recipient's pre-injury income. Appellant, Stella Regnier, argues that an exemption or credit should be allowed against this reduction in state benefits to cover legal and medical expenses incurred in proving eligibility for the social security benefits so that she would receive a total of 80 percent of her pre-injury income plus…