Shafer v. Department of Labor & Industries

**What Happened** This case involved a dispute about when a worker's compensation claim officially ends. The specific details center on the timing requirements for workers' compensation closure orders and when doctors can still appeal these decisions on behalf of injured workers. **What the Court Decided** The Washington Supreme Court ruled that a worker's compensation claim isn't truly finished until the injured worker's doctor actually receives a copy of the closure order. The court emphasized that doctors have 60 days from when they receive this notice to file an appeal if they disagree with the decision to close the case. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling protects injured workers by giving their doctors more time and clearer deadlines to challenge unfair claim closures. It means that even if a workers' compensation office says a case is closed, the doctor can still fight that decision as long as they haven't received proper notice. This creates an important safety net, ensuring that medical professionals who understand the worker's condition have adequate opportunity to advocate for continued benefits when appropriate. Workers should know their doctors have this appeal right and specific timeframe to use it.