Kleven v. Department of Labor & Industries

Appellant was injured on April 30, 1943, while operating a metal shear, with the result that three left-hand fingers were amputated.

The department made an award and closed his claim on January 3, 1944. This order was not appealed from, and, therefore, became res judicata as to the extent of his injury at that time. It was not res judicata as to subsequent aggravation. Donati v. Department of Labor & Industries, 35 Wn. (2d) 151, 211 P. (2d) 503.

Thereafter, and on December 7, 1945, appellant applied to reopen his claim on the only ground available to him, that is, aggravation of his injury…