Gorre v. City of Tacoma

¶1 — This is an appeal from a denial of a workers’ compensation claim. Under the Industrial Insurance Act (Act), Title 51 RCW, a worker injured in the course of employment suffers from an “occupational disease” and is entitled to certain benefits. The burden of proving an occupational disease generally falls on the worker. That is, to receive benefits an injured worker typically must show that his or her injury arose naturally and proximately from employment. This case involves an exception that shifts that burden in certain circumstances.

¶2 Under RCW 51.32.185(1), a firefighter who suffers…