Wash. Rev. Code » Title 51 · Chapter 51.16
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 51.16.140 (2026)

Premium liability of worker

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Every employer who is not a self-insurer shall deduct from the pay of each of his or her workers one-half of the amount he or she is required to pay, for medical benefits within each risk classification. Such amount shall be periodically determined by the director and reported by him or her to all employers under this title: PROVIDED, That the state governmental unit shall pay the entire amount into the medical aid fund for volunteers, as defined in RCW 51.12.035, and the state apprenticeship council shall pay the entire amount into the medical aid fund for registered apprentices or trainees, for the purposes of RCW 51.12.130. The deduction under this section is not authorized for premiums assessed under RCW 51.16.210.
(2) It shall be unlawful for the employer, unless specifically authorized by this title, to deduct or obtain any part of the premium or other costs required to be by him or her paid from the wages or earnings of any of his or her workers, and the making of or attempt to make any such deduction shall be a gross misdemeanor.
[ 1989 c 385 s 3; 1977 ex.s. c 350 s 29; 1973 c 110 s 2; 1971 ex.s. c 289 s 77; 1971 c 20 s 2; 1961 c 23 s 51.16.140. Prior: (i) 1923 c 136 s 8, part; 1919 c 129 s 1, part; 1917 c 28 s 4, part; RRS s 7713, part. (ii) 1947 c 247 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 7676e, part.]

Notes:

Effective date—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 289: See RCW 51.98.060 and 51.98.070.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1981–2001 · leading case: Cockle v. Dept. of Labor & Indus., 16 P.3d 583 (Wash. 2001).
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Cockle v. Dept. of Labor & Indus., 16 P.3d 583 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 51.16.140(1). Injured workers are entitled to medical coverage for injuries sustained on the job.”
Cockle v. Dep't of Labor & Indus., 142 Wash. 2d 801 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 51.16.140(1). Injured workers are entitled to medical coverage for injuries sustained on the job.”
Manor v. Nestle Food Co., 131 Wash. 2d 439 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 2× “RCW 51.16.140(1). It is a gross misdemeanor for self-insurers to obtain or even attempt to obtain a comparable contribution from their employees.”
Johnson v. Tradewell Stores, Inc., 630 P.2d 441 (Wash. 1981). · cites it 2× “Under RCW 51.16.140 employees of state-insured employers must pay one-half of the premium for medical benefits.”
Manor v. Nestle Food Co., 932 P.2d 628 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 2× “RCW 51.16.140(1). It is a gross misdemeanor for self-insurers to obtain or even attempt to obtain a comparable contribution from their employees.”
Arnold v. Dep't of Ret. Sys., 912 P.2d 463 (Wash. 1996). “9 The statute also permits the death benefits to be paid to the member’s estate in the event that there are no dependents. RCW 41.”
Dep't of Labor & Indus. v. Metro Hauling Inc., 738 P.2d 1063 (Wash. Ct. App. 1987). “The order and notice stated: Whereas, RCW 51.16.140 and RCW 51.32.073 provide for an employer to make deductions from the earnings of its workers of one-half the amount the employer is required to pay for medical benefits and supplemental pension assessment, and Whereas, this…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.16.140(1) — 4 cases
Cockle v. Dept. of Labor & Indus., 16 P.3d 583 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 51.16.140(1). Injured workers are entitled to medical coverage for injuries sustained on the job.”
Cockle v. Dep't of Labor & Indus., 142 Wash. 2d 801 (Wash. 2001). “RCW 51.16.140(1). Injured workers are entitled to medical coverage for injuries sustained on the job.”
Manor v. Nestle Food Co., 131 Wash. 2d 439 (Wash. 1997). “RCW 51.16.140(1). It is a gross misdemeanor for self-insurers to obtain or even attempt to obtain a comparable contribution from their employees.”
Manor v. Nestle Food Co., 932 P.2d 628 (Wash. 1997). “RCW 51.16.140(1). It is a gross misdemeanor for self-insurers to obtain or even attempt to obtain a comparable contribution from their employees.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.16.140(2) — 2 cases
Manor v. Nestle Food Co., 131 Wash. 2d 439 (Wash. 1997). “RCW 51.16.140(1). It is a gross misdemeanor for self-insurers to obtain or even attempt to obtain a comparable contribution from their employees.”
Manor v. Nestle Food Co., 932 P.2d 628 (Wash. 1997). “RCW 51.16.140(1). It is a gross misdemeanor for self-insurers to obtain or even attempt to obtain a comparable contribution from their employees.”
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