Murray v. Dep't of Labor & Indus.

This case involved Michael Murray, who needed hip surgery for a work-related injury but was denied workers' compensation coverage by Washington's Department of Labor and Industries. The department refused to pay for his FAI (femoroacetabular impingement) hip surgery, citing a state health technology assessment that questioned the general effectiveness of this type of surgery. The Washington Supreme Court ruled in Murray's favor, deciding that just because a state committee finds a medical treatment questionable in general doesn't automatically mean it's unnecessary for a specific injured worker. The court said the Department of Labor and Industries must hold an individual hearing to determine whether Murray's particular surgery was medically necessary, rather than simply relying on the broader policy assessment. The court also awarded Murray his attorney fees. This decision matters for workers because it protects their right to have their specific medical needs evaluated individually, even when state agencies have concerns about certain treatments overall. Workers can now argue that their particular situation may warrant coverage for treatments that might otherwise be restricted, ensuring they get proper hearings for their workers' compensation medical claims.