Standing v. Department of Labor & Indus

In Standing v. Department of Labor & Indus., 92 Wn.2d 463, 465, 598 P.2d 725 (1979), the Court noted that although the amount of compensation awarded crime victims is "related to the level of benefits available to an injured worker under RCW Title 51," the Act "modifies the award to a certain extent." For example, the Act is not intended to be a primary insurer: "Payment by the department under this chapter shall be secondary to other insurance benefits . . . ." RCW 7.68.130(3). In addition, the statute specifically limits the amount of compensation available. RCW 7.68.070(13) ("no more than thirty thousand dollars shall be granted as a result of a single injury or death"). In Standing, we further acknowledged this benefit cap when we stated: Although the legislature intended to assist and compensate victims of crime, it clearly evidenced a desire to insure only a basic level of recompense. . . . the Act insures that the victim will receive at least a minimum level of monetary compensation. Standing, 92 Wn.2d at 469.