Opinion ID: 682436
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: benny chan's tort claim against society expeditions

Text: 14 The district court first held that the exclusive remedy provision of the Washington state workers compensation act bars recovery in tort for the personal injuries Benny Chan sustained on the World Discoverer cruise. For the following reasons, this was error. 15 As the district court noted, a worker who accepts state workers compensation benefits for injuries is ordinarily barred from suing his employer in tort for the same injuries. Abraham v. Department of Labor & Indus., 178 Wash. 160, 34 P.2d 457 (1934). However, this bar does not apply to a worker who has a right under federal maritime law. Rev.Code.Wash. Sec. 51.12.100, a provision of the Washington state workers compensation law, expressly provides: 16 (1) The provisions of this title shall not apply to a master or member of a crew of any vessel, or to employers and workers for whom a right or obligation exists under the maritime laws or federal employees' compensation act for personal injuries or death of such workers. 17