Wash. Rev. Code » Title 51 · Chapter 51.32
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.190 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) If the self-insurer denies a claim for compensation, written notice of such denial, clearly informing the claimant of the reasons therefor and that the director will rule on the matter shall be mailed or given to the claimant and the director within thirty days after the self-insurer has notice of the claim.
(2) Until such time as the department has entered an order in a disputed case acceptance of compensation by the claimant shall not be considered a binding determination of his or her rights under this title. Likewise the payment of compensation shall not be considered a binding determination of the obligations of the self-insurer as to future compensation payments.
(3) Upon making the first payment of income benefits, the self-insurer shall immediately notify the director in accordance with a form to be prescribed by the director. Upon request of the department on a form prescribed by the department, the self-insurer shall submit a record of the payment of income benefits including initial, termination or terminations, and change or changes to the benefits. Where temporary disability compensation is payable, the first payment thereof shall be made within fourteen days after notice of claim and shall continue at regular semimonthly or biweekly intervals.
(4) If, after the payment of compensation without an award, the self-insurer elects to controvert the right to compensation, the payment of compensation shall not be considered a binding determination of the obligations of the self-insurer as to future compensation payments. The acceptance of compensation by the worker or his or her beneficiaries shall not be considered a binding determination of their rights under this title.
(5) The director: (a) May, upon his or her own initiative at any time in a case in which payments are being made without an award; and (b) shall, upon receipt of information from any person claiming to be entitled to compensation, from the self-insurer, or otherwise that the right to compensation is controverted, or that payment of compensation has been opposed, stopped or changed, whether or not claim has been filed, promptly make such inquiry as circumstances require, cause such medical examinations to be made, hold such hearings, require the submission of further information, make such orders, decisions or awards, and take such further action as he or she considers will properly determine the matter and protect the rights of all parties.
(6) The director, upon his or her own initiative, may make such inquiry as circumstances require or is necessary to protect the rights of all the parties and he or she may enact rules and regulations providing for procedures to ensure fair and prompt handling by self-insurers of the claims of workers and beneficiaries.
[ 1996 c 58 s 2; 1982 1st ex.s. c 20 s 3; 1977 ex.s. c 350 s 54; 1972 ex.s. c 43 s 25; 1971 ex.s. c 289 s 47.]

Notes:

Effective date—1982 1st ex.s. c 20: See note following RCW 51.32.075.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1981–2021 · leading case: Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
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Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 7× “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
Johnson v. Tradewell Stores, Inc., 630 P.2d 441 (Wash. 1981). · cites it 2× “See also RCW 51.32.190 which outlines special procedures for self-insureds in handling claims.”
Deeter v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 747 P.2d 1103 (Wash. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 2× “RCW 51.32.190 allows the director to enact rules and regulations providing for procedures to ensure fair and prompt handling of claims.”
Manor v. Nestle Food Co., 932 P.2d 628 (Wash. 1997). “RCW 51.32.190 details claim processing procedures applicable only to self-insurers.”
Wolf v. Scott Wetzel Servs., Inc., 782 P.2d 203 (Wash. 1989). “080(3) (director authorized to withdraw certification of self-insurer for unreasonably making it necessary for claimants to resort to proceedings against the employer to obtain compensation).”
Masco Corp. v. Alfredo Suarez, 433 P.3d 824 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “Under RCW 51.32.190(3), where temporary disability compensation is payable, as is the case here, “the first payment thereof shall be made within fourteen days after notice of claim.”
Clark Cnty., Res./cross-appellants v. Jennifer Maphet, App./cross (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 8× “WAC 296-20-01002 AND RCW 51.32.190 Maphet and the L&I both rely on WAC 296-20-01002’s definitions of “accepted condition” and “authorization” to argue that when the County authorized a surgery, it accepted the condition treated.”
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 9× “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
Joshua Peterson v. Wa State Dept. Labor & Indus. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “240(3) states: Whenever [DLI] issues an order rejecting a claim for benefits paid pursuant to RCW 51.32.190 or 51.32.210, after payment for temporary disability benefits has been paid by a self-insurer pursuant to RCW 51.”
Robert Daniel Cotton, Jr (Bankr. W.D. Wash. 2021). “If the self-insured 15 employer denies the claim, the employer must give the injured worker written notice 16 “clearly informing the claimant of the reasons [for the denial] and that the director [of 17 L&I] will rule on the denial.” RCW 51.32.190. Next, L&I reviews the…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.190(1) — 2 cases
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.190(2) — 1 case
Clark Cnty., Res./cross-appellants v. Jennifer Maphet, App./cross (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “WAC 296-20-01002 AND RCW 51.32.190 Maphet and the L&I both rely on WAC 296-20-01002’s definitions of “accepted condition” and “authorization” to argue that when the County authorized a surgery, it accepted the condition treated.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.190(3) — 4 cases
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
Masco Corp. v. Alfredo Suarez, 433 P.3d 824 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “Under RCW 51.32.190(3), where temporary disability compensation is payable, as is the case here, “the first payment thereof shall be made within fourteen days after notice of claim.”
Joshua Peterson v. Wa State Dept. Labor & Indus. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “240(3) states: Whenever [DLI] issues an order rejecting a claim for benefits paid pursuant to RCW 51.32.190 or 51.32.210, after payment for temporary disability benefits has been paid by a self-insurer pursuant to RCW 51.”
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.190(4) — 2 cases
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.190(5) — 2 cases
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 51.32.190(6) — 3 cases
Wolf v. Scott Wetzel Servs., Inc., 782 P.2d 203 (Wash. 1989). “080(3) (director authorized to withdraw certification of self-insurer for unreasonably making it necessary for claimants to resort to proceedings against the employer to obtain compensation).”
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
Taylor v. Nalley's Fine Foods, 83 P.3d 1018 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “RCW 51.32.190 also provides an incentive to self-insured employers that deny a claim for compensation but pay benefits while awaiting a Department ruling.”
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