My client service goals are to be logical, helpful, and efficient. Clients navigating the Washington workers’ compensation system often find that it is complex and fast-paced. To provide the highest level of customer service, I and my team strive to quickly reply to clients’ needs, see the big picture, provide effective client trainings, and advocate with intellect and creativity, while knowing how and when to find common ground.
Shawna G. Fruin
President and Managing Partner She/HerOverview
Shawna is a member of our Washington practice team and managing partner of the firm. She has considerable experience advising clients on the intricacies of Washington workers’ compensation law, negotiating creative and effective settlements, and litigating matters to successful resolution at the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (including the employer-favorable significant decision Applegate, which clarified the Board’s ability to grant equitable relief) and the higher courts (including the employer-favorable Court of Appeals decision Magdaleno, where the Court held that the facts were distinguishable from Maphet).
As managing partner, Shawna will guide the strategic direction of the firm and oversee day-to-day operations, while maintaining her practice, team mentorship, and service in the workers’ compensation community. Shawna will leverage her skills and energy to continue the firm’s decades-long legacy of leadership in Oregon and Washington workers’ compensation.
- “Does Your Telecommuting Policy Increase Your Risk of Workers’ Compensation Liability?” Washington State Bar News, December 2021/January 2022
- “Avoid improper mental health disclosures, avoid penalties in Washington,” August 27, 2021
- “New COVID-related notice requirements: What Washington employers need to know,” August 6, 2021
- “So where are we at with Washington’s new IME rules?” April 28, 2021
- “How to address Washington workers’ compensation claims from telecommuters,” April 9, 2020
- “Coronavirus and Washington workers’ compensation,” March 19, 2020
- “Coronavirus and workers’ compensation: first thoughts,” March 3, 2020
- “Death of the Washington Second Injury Fund?,” June 12, 2017
- “Washington Court of Appeals holds orders containing innocent errors to typical 60-day protest/appeal deadline,”August 11, 2015
- “Washington Supreme Court stands firm in high requirement for suing employers in tort,” October 20, 2014
- “Crabb v. Department of Labor and Industries: The Washington Court of Appeals holds the 2011 COLA freeze does not apply to maximum time-loss claims,” July 1, 2014
- “Board of Industrial Insurance Appeal v. South Kitsap School District, Zimmerman, & DLI: Board should not consider the “best interest” of represented workers when evaluating structured settlements,” July 1, 2014
- “Boeing & Doss v. DLI,” May 13, 2014
- “2024 Spotlight Issues,” presented at 2024 WSIA Legal Issues Workshop, October 24, 2024
- “Good Faith, Fair Dealing – Where Are We Now?” WSIA Annual Conference (General Admission), May 03, 2024 (re-presented for clients upon request)
- “IME Recording: New Issues and Strategies,” co-presented with Kristin McCoy of MES at WSIA conference, October 25, 2023, and Reinisch Wilson Claims School, November 30, 2023
- “IME Updates: Litigation, Issues, and Strategies,” presented at WSIA Winter Claims Management Conference, January 27, 2023
- “2022 IME Rules: Six-Month Check In & Updates,” Presented at WSIA Legal Workshop, October 27, 2022
- “Does your telecommuting policy increase your risk of liability in workers’ compensation?,” webinar presented to NALS, February 12, 2022
- “New IME rules becoming effective 4/23/2022: What they mean for your claims” Washington Claims School, April 20,2022
- “New 2021 Washington IME rules,” Washington Virtual CE presented by Reinisch Wilson Weier PC, January 20, 2021
- “Course of Employment when Employment Happens Anywhere,” co-presented at the Washington Self-Insurers Association 50th Annual Conference, June 9, 2021
- “New 2021 Washington IME rules,” Washington Virtual CE presented by Reinisch Wilson Weier PC, January 20, 2021
- “Advanced Claims Management and Appeals,” WWCP Course, Washington Self Insurers’ Association, July 14-15, 2020
- “Washington Subrogation 101,” client continuing education seminar, March 19, 2020
- “Washington claims processing 101,” client continuing education seminar, March 3, 2020
- “Mediation and Settlements: Legal Perspectives from Both Sides” (co-presented by Attorney Jill A. Karmy), the Washington Claims School Seminar presented by Reinisch Wilson Weier PC, September 19, 2019
- “Financial Risk Management for Self-Insureds,” co-panelist, Washington Self-Insurers Association Spring Conference, March 23, 2018
- “Claim Resolution Options: Strategies for employers,” 2017 Washington Claims School presented by Reinisch Wilson Weier PC, June 14, 2017
- “Washington Workers’ Compensation 101,” client continuing education seminar, November 11, 2016 and January 24, 2017.
- “Psychiatric IMEs: New DSM-5 Rules and Potential Assessment Tools Regarding Mental Health Examinations,” client continuing education seminar, October 7, 2016; Washington Self-Insurers webinar, December 8, 2016; Washington Credit Crunch presented by Reinisch Wilson Weier PC, September 14, 2016
- “Employer responsibilities under the 2015 amendments to the Department’s penalty rule,” 2016 Washington Claims School presented by Reinisch Wilson Weier PC, June 8, 2016
- “Avoiding Litigation,” client continuing education seminar, February 24, 2015
- “Vocational Option II,” client continuing education seminar, June 25, 2014
- “Preparing an IME Cover Letter,” client continuing education seminar, April 4, 2014
- “2012 New Significant Decisions and Tentative Significant 2013 Decisions of the Board of Industrial Appeals,” client continuing education seminar, November 7, 2013 and March 28, 2014
- WSIA Appointed Director – Legal Representative
- Member of Advisory Panel for the Linfield University Online and Continuing Education Women in Leadership Certificate Program
When she’s not at work, you will find Shawna reading the latest business leadership book, paddle boarding with her family, or enjoying Portland’s wine country and restaurants.