Dennis v. Department of Labor & Industries

Holman, J. *

The central issue in this case is whether our workers' compensation act (Act) provides coverage for a disability directly caused by workplace aggravation of a previously nonsymptomatic, nondisabling disease. Under the Act, a worker is entitled to compensation to the extent of the disability when he or she demonstrates that the employment acted upon such a disease so as to cause a disability which did not previously exist.

Appellant Kenneth Dennis (claimant) was a sheet metal worker for 38 years who typically used tin snips with 9- to 18-inch blades from 4 to 5 hours each day. His…