RCW 51.32.160
Aggravation, diminution, or termination.
(1)(a) If aggravation, diminution, or termination of disability takes place, the director may, upon the application of the beneficiary, made within seven years from the date the first closing order becomes final, or at any time upon his or her own motion, readjust the rate of compensation in accordance with the rules in this section provided for the same, or in a proper case terminate the payment: PROVIDED, That the director may, upon application of the worker made at any time, provide proper and necessary medical and surgical services as authorized under RCW 51.36.010. The department shall promptly mail a copy of the application to the employer at the employer's last known address as shown by the records of the department.
(b) "Closing order" as used in this section means an order based on factors which include medical recommendation, advice, or examination.
(c) Applications for benefits where the claim has been closed without medical recommendation, advice, or examination are not subject to the seven year limitation of this section. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any closing order issued prior to July 1, 1981. First closing orders issued between July 1, 1981, and July 1, 1985, shall, for the purposes of this section only, be deemed issued on July 1, 1985. The time limitation of this section shall be ten years in claims involving loss of vision or function of the eyes.
(d) If an order denying an application to reopen filed on or after July 1, 1988, is not issued within ninety days of receipt of such application by the self-insured employer or the department, such application shall be deemed granted. However, for good cause, the department may extend the time for making the final determination on the application for an additional sixty days.
(2) If a worker receiving a pension for total disability returns to gainful employment for wages, the director may suspend or terminate the rate of compensation established for the disability without producing medical evidence that shows that a diminution of the disability has occurred.
(3) No act done or ordered to be done by the director, or the department prior to the signing and filing in the matter of a written order for such readjustment shall be grounds for such readjustment.
[ 1995 c 253 § 2; 1988 c 161 § 11; 1986 c 59 § 4; 1973 1st ex.s. c 192 § 1; 1961 c 23 § 51.32.160. Prior: 1957 c 70 § 38; prior: 1951 c 115 § 5; 1949 c 219 § 1, part; 1947 c 246 § 1, part; 1929 c 132 § 2, part; 1927 c 310 § 4, part; 1923 c 136 § 2, part; 1919 c 131 § 4, part; 1917 c 28 § 1, part; 1913 c 148 § 1, part; 1911 c 74 § 5, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7679, part.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 51 - Industrial Insurance
Chapter 51.32 - Compensation—Right to and Amount.
51.32.010 - Who entitled to compensation.
51.32.015 - Time and place of coverage—Lunch period.
51.32.020 - Who not entitled to compensation.
51.32.025 - Payments for children cease at age eighteen—Exceptions.
51.32.030 - When compensation payable to employer or member of corporate employer.
51.32.045 - Direct deposit or electronic payment of benefits.
51.32.055 - Determination of permanent disabilities—Closure of claims by self-insurers.
51.32.060 - Permanent total disability compensation—Personal attendant.
51.32.067 - Permanent total disability—Death benefit options—Election.
51.32.072 - Additional payments for prior pensioners—Children—Remarriage—Attendant.
51.32.075 - Adjustments in compensation or death benefits.
51.32.098 - Vocational rehabilitation services—Applicability.
51.32.099 - Vocational rehabilitation pilot program—Vocational plans.
51.32.100 - Preexisting disease.
51.32.110 - Medical examination—Refusal to submit—Traveling expenses—Pay for time lost.
51.32.114 - Medical examination—Department to monitor quality and objectivity.
51.32.120 - Further accident after lump sum payment.
51.32.130 - Lump sum for death or permanent total disability.
51.32.135 - Closing of claim in pension cases—Consent of spouse.
51.32.140 - Nonresident alien beneficiary.
51.32.150 - Lump sum to beneficiary outside state.
51.32.160 - Aggravation, diminution, or termination.
51.32.180 - Occupational diseases—Limitation.
51.32.181 - Occupational diseases—Public health emergencies—Infectious or contagious diseases.
51.32.1871 - Annual report on claims.
51.32.195 - Self-insurers—Information to department.
51.32.200 - Self-insurers—Enforcement of compensation order against.
51.32.210 - Claims of injured workers, prompt action—Payment—Acceptance—Effect.
51.32.215 - Payment of compensation after appeal—Enforcement of order—Penalty.
51.32.230 - Recovery of overpayments.
51.32.250 - Payment of job modification costs.
51.32.260 - Compensation for loss or damage to personal effects.
51.32.300 - State employee vocational rehabilitation coordinator.
51.32.350 - Chemically related illness—Criteria and procedures for claims—Claims management.
51.32.360 - Chemically related illness—Centers for research and clinical assessment.