Department of Labor

Department of Labor

Industrial Insurance (Worker’s Compensation)

Department of Labor & Industries
Insurance Services
Employer Services
Phone: (360) 902-4817
www.lni.wa.gov

Any employer who employs a “worker” in Washington State must register with the Department of Labor and Industries for industrial insurance (worker’s compensation). Worker’s compensation coverage must be purchased through the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

Premiums paid by employers and workers pay for medical care for job-related injuries and illnesses, as well as wage replacement when the injury or illness is serious enough to miss work. The system, in place since 1911, provides prompt payment to injured workers and protects employers from litigation.

Washington’s industrial insurance law RCW 51.08.180 states:

“Worker” means every person in this state who is engaged in the employment of an employer under this title, whether by way of manual labor or otherwise in the course of his or her employment; also every person in this state who is engaged in the employment of or who is working under an independent contract, the essence of which is his or her personal labor for an employer under this title, whether by way of manual labor or otherwise, in the course of his or her employment.

The production company will have to pay a composite rate based on the categories and codes listed below for worker compensation.

The employer may deduct the amount based on categories and codes from the employee’s check for pension and medical for which the employee is responsible.

Composite rates for Motion Picture Production (6608) and Radio, Television, All Other Employees (4502) can be found in the chart provided by the Department of Labor:

Complete List here: http://www.lni.wa.gov/claimsins/insurance/ratesrisk/check/rateshistory/

This rate is adjusted every January. Call the Department of Labor and Industries, Employer Services after January 1, to verify composite rate and employee deduction for the current year.

To find definitions for Industrial Insurance, click on http://www.leg.wa.gov/RCW/index.cfm?fuseaction= chapterdigest&chapter=51.08