Washington Code 43.20B.070 – Torts committed against recipients of state assistance — Duties of attorney representing recipient — Trust account for departmental lien
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(1) An attorney representing a person who, as a result of injuries or illness sustained through the negligence or wrong of another, has received, is receiving, or has applied to receive assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW, or residential care provided by the department at a hospital for the mentally ill or habilitative care center for the developmentally disabled, shall:
Terms Used In Washington Code 43.20B.070
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
- Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
- Trust account: A general term that covers all types of accounts in a trust department, such as estates, guardianships, and agencies. Source: OCC
(a) Notify the department at the time of filing any claim against a third party, commencing an action at law, negotiating a settlement, or accepting a settlement offer from the tort feasor or the tort feasor’s insurer, or both; and
(b) Give the department thirty days’ notice before any judgment, award, or settlement may be satisfied in any action or any claim by the applicant or recipient to recover damages for such injuries or illness.
(2) The proceeds from any recovery made pursuant to any action or claim described in RCW 43.20B.060 that is necessary to fully satisfy the department’s lien against recovery shall be placed in a trust account or in the registry of the court until the department’s lien is satisfied.
NOTES:
Application—1990 c 100 §§ 2, 4, 7(1), 8(2): See note following RCW 43.20B.060.