Clauson v. Department of Labor & Industries

— The issue in this case is whether a worker who has been awarded a permanent total disability pension under one worker’s compensation claim may later receive a permanent partial disability award for a prior *582injury under a separate, pre-existing claim. We hold that the timing of the closure of claims should not work to the disadvantage of an injured worker. The worker in this case, therefore, is entitled to the additional compensation for his permanent partial disability. The Court of Appeals is affirmed.

Facts

Henry Clauson, the worker involved in this appeal, injured his right hip in an…