Opinion ID: 2633668
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Remand and Joinder of Indispensable Party

Text: ¶ 29 Upon Cowlitz Stud's protest and appeal of L & I's order of April 5, 2001, it was incumbent upon L & I (and the industrial appeals judge) to join Hampton as an insurer who may be liable. It is a rule of law, as old as the law itself, that a court cannot adjudicate the rights of parties who are not actually or constructively before it, with an opportunity to defend or maintain their rights in action. State ex rel. Reed v. Gormley, 40 Wash. 601, 603, 82 P. 929 (1905). L & I made an initial determination on Clevenger's worsened injury-related condition. [3] Remand to the Board with an order to join Hampton for a de novo hearing is appropriate. [4]