Dellen Wood Products Inc., App. V Wa State Dept. Of Labor And Industries, Resp.

**What Happened** Dellen Wood Products was a self-insured employer under Washington's workers' compensation system, meaning they paid their own workers' compensation claims instead of paying into the state insurance fund. However, the company stopped paying workers' compensation benefits to injured employees and failed to meet other legal requirements under the Industrial Insurance Act. **What the Court Decided** The Washington Court of Appeals ruled against Dellen Wood Products, finding that the company had defaulted on its responsibilities as a self-insured employer. Because of these failures, the court affirmed that the company forfeited all rights to its surety fund - money that was supposed to guarantee they could pay future claims. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling reinforces important protections for injured workers in Washington. It shows that when employers choose to self-insure for workers' compensation, they cannot simply stop paying benefits when workers get hurt. The court's decision sends a clear message that employers must follow through on their legal obligations to provide workers' compensation coverage. When they fail to do so, they face serious consequences, including losing access to funds meant to protect workers.