Court Clarifies Requirements for Employer Reimbursement Under Stay-at-Work Program

The Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the state Stay-at-Work Program does not prohibit retroactive medical approval of light-duty work, as long as the employee's provider has released him to remain at, or return to, the job. Case: Department of Labor and Industries v. Briseno, No. 79395-1-I, 02/18/2020, published. Facts and procedural history: In 2011, the Washington Legislature created the Stay-at-Work Program to encourage employers to offer light or modified work to injured workers. The program authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries to provide wage reimbursement to...