Direct care registered nurses—Presumption of occupational disease for posttraumatic stress disorder

(1) In the case of direct care registered nurses covered under this title who are employed on a fully compensated basis, there exists a prima facie presumption that posttraumatic stress disorder is an occupational disease under RCW 51.08.140. This section applies only to a direct care registered nurse who has posttraumatic stress disorder that develops or manifests itself after the individual has been employed on a fully compensated basis as a direct care registered nurse in Washington state for at least 90 consecutive days. (2) The presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence. (3) The presumption extends to a claimant following termination of employment for a period of three calendar months for each year the claimant was a direct care registered nurse employed on a fully compensated basis, but may not extend more than 60 months following the last date of employment. (4)(a) When a determination involving the presumption established under this section is appealed to the board of industrial insurance appeals and the final decision allows the claim for benefits, the board of industrial insurance appeals shall order that all reasonable costs of the appeal, including attorneys' fees and witness fees, be paid to the claimant or his or her beneficiary by the opposing party. (b) When determination involving the presumption established under this section is appealed to any court and the final decision allows the claim for benefits, the court shall order that all reasonable costs of the appeal, including attorneys' fees and witness fees, be paid to the claimant or his or her beneficiary by the opposing party. (c) When reasonable costs of the appeal must be paid by the department under this section in a state fund case, the costs shall be paid from the accident fund and charged to the costs of the claim. (5) For purposes of this section, "direct care registered nurse" means an individual licensed as a nurse under chapter 18.79 RCW who provides direct care to patients.