Harman v. Department of Labor & Industries

**What Happened** A worker named Harman filed a workers' compensation claim with Washington's Department of Labor & Industries more than one year after his workplace injury occurred. Washington state law requires workers to file these claims within one year of their injury. Harman argued that special circumstances should excuse his late filing, asking the court to waive the deadline based on fairness principles. **What the Court Decided** The court ruled against Harman and sided with the Department of Labor & Industries. The appeals court reversed an earlier decision that had been favorable to Harman, stating that the one-year deadline is absolute and cannot be waived, even when it might seem unfair. The court determined that Harman's late filing meant they had no authority to hear his case at all. **Why This Matters for Workers** This decision emphasizes how strictly Washington courts enforce workers' compensation filing deadlines. Workers who are injured on the job must file their claims within exactly one year, with very limited exceptions. Even compelling personal circumstances typically won't excuse a late filing. Workers should prioritize filing their workers' compensation claims promptly after any workplace injury to protect their rights to benefits and medical coverage.