Liability Protection Requested – Governor Inslee

Liability Protection Requested – Governor Inslee

LeadingAge Washington joined with the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), Washington Health Care Association, and several other organizations to submit a Letter to Governor Inslee asking Inslee to exercise his emergency powers and extend liability protection to health care workers for actions that might arise out of a response to COVID.  

Unfortunately our Governor’s power is not as expansive as other states‘ and Inslee can only waive or suspend laws/regulations. Therefore, the requested liability protection does not extend to the hospital, skilled nursing or assisted living community itself.  We were, however, able to extend this protection, if The order is issued by Inslee, to administrators in addition to care staff. COVID related licensing actions under chapter 18.130 RCW and civil actions should, therefore, be protected for a number of disciplines.  

We thank WSHA for taking the lead on this important liability protection request.

Deb Murphy, MPA, J.D.

President/Chief Executive Officer, LeadingAge Washington