The Self-Insured Ombudsman was created by passage of SSB 5053 in 2007.  The law states: "The office of the ombudsman shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To act as an advocate for injured workers of self-insured employers;
(2) To offer and provide information on industrial insurance as appropriate to workers of self-insured employers;
(3) To identify, investigate, and facilitate resolution of industrial insurance complaints from workers of self-insured employers;
(4) To maintain a statewide toll-free telephone number for the receipt of complaints and inquiries; and
(5) To refer complaints to the department when appropriate.

The Self-Insured Ombudsman is required to submit an annual report to the Governor by October 1st of each year.

The report is to include: (a) A description of the issues addressed during the past year and a very brief description of case scenarios in a form that does not compromise confidentiality; (b) An accounting of the monitoring activities by the ombudsman; and (c) An identification of the deficiencies in the industrial insurance system related to self-insurers, if any, and recommendations for remedial action in policy or practice.

 

2011 Ombudsman Report

          - WSIA comments on 2011 Report

2010 Ombudsman Report

          - WSIA comments on 2010 Report

2009 Ombudsman Report

 

as of 2/27/2012