Washington § 51.16.220 - Reimbursement from disaster response account for nongovernment employees.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 51.16.220 — Reimbursement from disaster response account for nongovernment employees., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 51.16.220. Reimbursement from disaster response account for nongovernment employees.

(1) When a worker of a nongovernment employer is injured or develops an occupational disease due to an exposure while assisting in the life and rescue phase of an emergency, in response to a request for assistance from a state or local government entity, including fire service or law enforcement, the cost of benefits shall be reimbursed from the disaster response account, RCW 38.52.105, to the appropriate workers' compensation fund, or to the self-insured employer, as the case may be. The cost of such injuries or occupational diseases shall not be charged to the experience record of a state fund employer.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "life and rescue phase" means the first seventy-two hours after the occurrence of a natural or man-made disaster in which a state or municipal entity, including fire service or law enforcement, acknowledges or declares such a disaster and requests assistance from the private sector in locating and rescuing survivors. The initial life and rescue phase may be extended for a finite period of time by declaration of the state or municipal entity requesting assistance.
[ 2005 c 422 s 1.]

Notes

Rules—2005 c 422: "The department of labor and industries may adopt rules to implement this act." [ 2005 c 422 s 3.]
Effective date—2005 c 422: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 11, 2005]." [ 2005 c 422 s 4.]

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 51.16.220

What does Revised Code of Washington § 51.16.220 cover?

Section 51.16.220 ("Reimbursement from disaster response account for nongovernment employees.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 51.16.220?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 51.16.220" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

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