Legislature Passes Lump-Sum Settlement Bill

Injured workers in Washington state would have the option of receiving lump-sum settlements, under a bill delivered to Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday. Both chambers of the Legislature unanimously passed SB 5046, by Sen. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma. The Senate passed the bill 49-0 on Feb. 10 and the state House of Representatives voted 98-0 to pass the bill April 5. Reforms enacted 10 years ago included a provision that for the first time allowed injured workers to settle their claims and receive structured payments. SB 5046 would give injured workers the option to receive settlement payments in a lump...