Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1967 NO. 28 >

(1) The city council of a city which has covered its paid firemen under the pension provisions of chapters 41.16 and 41.18 RCW is not authorized to review, amend or reject a claim for a pension which has been allowed by the firemen's pension board for the city involved. (2) Where a paid fireman is disabled as a result of an injury incurred while in the performance of his duties as a fireman, (a) if coverage is under chapter 41.16 RCW, the municipal pension board is required to provide medical, hospital and nursing care in connection with the disability for such period as the board deems proper; (b) if coverage is under chapter 41.18 RCW, the municipal pension board is required to provide medical, hospital and nursing care in connection with the disability as long as the disability exists; (c) however, in neither case should the board be regarded as liable for any and all medical, hospital and nursing costs incurred by the disabled fireman without regard to whether the fireman has made a prior application and received prior approval in accordance with established procedures.