Kustura v. Department of Labor & Industries

**What Happened** A worker with limited English skills filed a workers' compensation claim with Washington's Department of Labor & Industries and wanted the state to pay for interpreter services during the process. The worker argued that the state should cover these costs to ensure fair treatment. **What the Court Decided** The Washington Supreme Court ruled against the worker. The court found that under state law, the government only has to pay for interpreter services when the government starts a legal case against someone. Since the worker initiated the workers' compensation claim themselves, the state was not required to provide free interpreter services. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling means that workers with limited English proficiency may need to pay for their own interpreters when filing workers' compensation claims in Washington. This could create a financial barrier for some workers seeking benefits after workplace injuries. Workers in this situation should be prepared for potential interpreter costs or seek assistance from advocacy organizations that might help with language support during the claims process.