The eligibility for benefits under this chapter and the amount
thereof will be governed insofar as is applicable by the
provisions contained in this chapter.
(1) Each victim injured as a result of a criminal act,
including criminal acts committed between July 1, 1981, and
January 1, 1983, or the victim's family or beneficiary in case of
death of the victim, are eligible for benefits in accordance with
this chapter, subject to the limitations under RCW 7.68.015. No
more than fifty thousand dollars shall be paid in total per
claim, of which nonmedical benefits shall not exceed forty
thousand dollars of the entire claim. Benefits may include a
combination of burial expenses, financial support for lost wages,
and medical expenses.
(a) Benefits payable for temporary total disability that
results in financial support for lost wages shall not exceed
fifteen thousand dollars.
(b) Benefits payable for a permanent total disability or
fatality that results in financial support for lost wages shall
not exceed forty thousand dollars. After at least twelve monthly
payments have been paid, the department shall have the sole
discretion to make a final lump sum payment of the balance
remaining.
(c) Benefits for disposition of remains or burial expenses
shall not exceed five thousand seven hundred fifty dollars per
claim.
(2) If the victim was not gainfully employed at the time of
the criminal act, no financial support for lost wages will be
paid to the victim or any beneficiaries.
(3) No victim or beneficiary shall receive compensation for
or during the day on which the injury was received.
(4) If a victim's employer continues to pay the victim's
wages that he or she was earning at the time of the crime, the
victim shall not receive any financial support for lost wages.
(5) When the director determines that a temporary total
disability results in a loss of wages, the victim shall receive
monthly subject to subsection (1) of this section, during the
period of disability, sixty percent of the victim's monthly wage
but no more than one hundred percent of the state's average
monthly wage as defined in RCW 7.68.020. The minimum monthly
payment shall be no less than five hundred dollars. Monthly
wages shall be based upon employer wage statements, employment
security records, or documents reported to and certified by the
internal revenue service. Monthly wages must be determined using
the actual documented monthly wage or averaging the total wages
earned for up to twelve successive calendar months preceding the
injury. In cases where the victim's wages and hours are fixed,
they shall be determined by multiplying the daily wage the victim
was receiving at the time of the injury:
(a) By five, if the victim was normally employed one day a
week;
(b) By nine, if the victim was normally employed two days a
week;
(c) By thirteen, if the victim was normally employed three
days a week;
(d) By eighteen, if the victim was normally employed four
days a week;
(e) By twenty-two, if the victim was normally employed five
days a week;
(f) By twenty-six, if the victim was normally employed six
days a week; or
(g) By thirty, if the victim was normally employed seven
days a week.
(6) When the director determines that a permanent total
disability or death results in a loss of wages, the victim or
eligible spouse shall receive the monthly payments established in
this subsection, not to exceed forty thousand dollars or the
limits established in this chapter.
(7) If the director determines that the victim is
voluntarily retired and is no longer attached to the workforce,
benefits shall not be paid under this section.
(8) In the case of death, if there is no eligible spouse,
benefits shall be paid to the child or children of the deceased
victim. If there is no spouse or children, no payments shall be
made under this section. If the spouse remarries before this
benefit is paid in full benefits shall be paid to the victim's
child or children and the spouse shall not receive further
payment. If there is no child or children no further payments
will be made.
(9) The benefits for disposition of remains or burial
expenses shall not exceed five thousand seven hundred fifty
dollars per claim and to receive reimbursement for expenses
related to the disposition of remains or burial, the department
must receive an itemized statement from a provider of services
within twelve months of the date upon which the death of the
victim is officially recognized as a homicide. If there is a
delay in the recovery of remains or the release of remains for
disposition or burial, an itemized statement from a provider of
services must be received within twelve months of the date of the
release of the remains.
(10) Any person who is responsible for the victim's
injuries, or who would otherwise be unjustly enriched as a result
of the victim's injuries, shall not be a beneficiary under this
chapter.
(11) Crime victims' compensation is not available to pay for
services covered under chapter 74.09 RCW or Title XIX of the
federal social security act.
(12) A victim whose crime occurred in another state who
qualifies for benefits under RCW 7.68.060(6) may receive
appropriate mental health counseling to address distress arising
from participation in the civil commitment proceedings. Fees for
counseling shall be determined by the department in accordance
with RCW 51.04.030, subject to the limitations of RCW 7.68.080.
(13) If the provisions of this title relative to
compensation for injuries to or death of victims become invalid
because of any adjudication, or are repealed, the period
intervening between the occurrence of an injury or death, not
previously compensated for under this title by lump payment or
completed monthly payments, and such repeal or the rendition of
the final adjudication of invalidity shall not be computed as a
part of the time limited by law for the commencement of any
action relating to such injury or death.
(14) The benefits established in RCW 51.32.080 for permanent
partial disability will not be provided to any crime victim or
for any claim submitted on or after July 1, 2011.
[2011 c 346 § 401. Prior: 2010 c 289 § 6; 2010 c 122 § 1; 2009 c 38 § 1; 2002 c 54 § 1; 1996 c 122 § 5; 1993 sp.s. c 24 § 912; 1992 c 203 § 1; 1990 c 3 § 502; 1989 1st ex.s. c 5 § 5; 1989 c 12 § 2; 1987 c 281 § 8; 1985 c 443 § 15; 1983 c 239 § 2; 1982 1st ex.s. c 8 § 2; 1981 1st ex.s. c 6 § 26; 1977 ex.s. c 302 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 176 § 3; 1973 1st ex.s. c 122 § 7.]
NOTES:
Intent--Retroactive application -- Effective date -- 2011 c 346: See notes following RCW 7.68.020.
Effective date, application -- 2010 c 122 §§ 1 and 2: "Sections 1 and 2 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect April 1, 2010, for all claims of victims of criminal acts occurring after July 1, 1981." [2010 c 122 § 8.]
Expiration date -- 2010 c 122 §§ 1 and 2: "Sections 1 and 2 of this act expire July 1, 2015." [2010 c 122 § 9.]
Findings -- Intent -- 1996 c 122: See note following RCW 7.68.035.
Severability -- Effective dates -- 1993 sp.s. c 24: See notes following RCW 28A.310.020.
Index, part headings not law -- Severability -- Effective dates -- Application -- 1990 c 3: See RCW 18.155.900 through 18.155.902.
Severability -- Application -- Effective dates -- 1989 1st ex.s. c 5: See notes following RCW 7.68.015.
Effective date -- 1987 c 281: See note following RCW 7.68.020.
Application -- 1985 c 443 § 15: "The amendments to RCW 7.68.070 by this act apply only to criminal acts occurring after December 31, 1985." [1986 c 98 § 3; 1985 c 443 § 17.]
Severability -- Effective date -- 1985 c 443: See notes following RCW 7.69.010.
Effective dates -- Intent -- Reports -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 8: See notes following RCW 7.68.035.
Effective date -- Severability -- 1981 1st ex.s. c 6: See notes following RCW 74.04.005.