Weaver v. City of Everett (Majority)
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Michael Weaver, a former City of Everett firefighter, contracted melanoma. He filed a temporary disability claim, which the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (Department) denied, finding the melanoma was not work related. The melanoma spread to Weaver's brain, for which he filed a permanent disability claim. The Department denied it as precluded by the denial of the temporary disability claim. The issue his case presented for the Washington Supreme Court's review centered on whether the doctrines of collateral estoppel and res judicata properly precluded Weaver's permanent disability claim. The Court found collateral estoppel did not apply because the doctrine would work an injustice in this situation, given that Weaver did not have sufficient incentive to fully and vigorously litigate the temporary disability claim in light of the disparity of relief between the two claims. Likewise, the Court held that res judicata did not apply because the two claims did not share identical subject matter, given that the permanent disability claim did not exist at the time of the temporary disability claim.
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This opinion was yF filed for record IN CLERKS OFFICE at !COURT,swre OF V»SH9iaTOIi on Qc-h 17. 2-01^ 7>e^oi^ n4Tg OCT 1 7 2011 ^ Susan L. Carlson ^IkAA InAAA&h > ^ Supreme Court Clerk CMIEFJUSTlGe IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON MICHAEL WEAVER, Respondent, No. 96189-1 En Banc V. CITY OF EVERETT and STATE OF Filed PET I 7 2fll9 WASHINGTON,DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & INDUSTRIES, Petitioners. OWENS,J. — A firefighter contracted melanoma and filed a temporary disability claim, which the Department ofLabor and Industries(Department) denied, finding that the melanoma was not work related. Later, the melanoma spread to the firefighter's brain, and he filed a permanent disability claim, which the Department denied as precluded by denial ofthe temporary disability claim. We are asked to decide whether the equitable doctrines of collateral estoppel and res judicata properly preclude the firefighter's permanent disability claim. We hold that collateral estoppel does not apply because the doctrine would work an injustice in this situation, given that the firefighter did not have sufficient incentive to fully and vigorously litigate the Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 temporary disability claim in light ofthe disparity of relief between the two claims. We likewise hold that res judicata does not apply because the two claims do not share identical subject matter, given that the permanent disability claim did not exist at the time of the temporary disability claim. Accordingly, we affirm the Court of Appeals. FACTS Michael Weaver worked as a firefighter paramedic for the City of Everett(City) from 1996 until 2014, when malignant metastatic melanoma halted his ability to work. I. Temporary Disability Claim Weaver was originally diagnosed with melanoma in 2011, when an irregular mole on his upper back was found to be cancerous. Weaver underwent surgery, which he thought "cured" his melanoma. Administrative Record(AR)at 47. Believing that his melanoma was work related. Weaver filed an application with the Department for temporary disability benefits for the five weeks of work that he missed during surgery and recovery. His claim consisted solely of lost wages worth approximately $10,000. The Department initially granted Weaver's claim, but the City protested the order and hired two doctors specializing in cancer treatment and dermatology to perform independent medical examinations of Weaver. The Department reversed its initial order, concluding that Weaver's "condition is not an occupational disease." AR at 278. Weaver retained counsel to appeal the Department's denial to the Industrial Insurance Appeals Board (Board). Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 Weaver's counsel purportedly did not explain the appeal process to Weaver or prepare him for the hearing before an administrative law judge(ALJ)and arrived 90 minutes late to the hearing. Weaver's sole expert witness was a family physician who had not treated, examined, or met Weaver. The physician opined in deposition to an affirmative causal correlation between firefighters' occupational chemical exposure and melanoma. Both doctors whom the City had hired to examine Weaver opined that Weaver's cancer was likely due to sun exposure as a child rather than occupational exposure as a firefighter. Weaver's treating oncologist was not called to testify. The ALJ concluded that the City had rebutted the statutory presumption of occupational disease and affirmed the Department's denial of Weaver's claim. The Board adopted the ALJ's order and denied Weaver's petition for review. Weaver's counsel withdrew from representation, and Weaver filed a pro se appeal in superior court. Months later, lacking professional assistance or knowledge of how to pursue the appeal. Weaver signed an agreed order of dismissal prepared by the City. II. Permanent Disability Claim In January 2014, Weaver began having trouble recalling words. A brain scan revealed a tumor, which was confirmed to be metastatic melanoma. Weaver does not dispute that the brain tumor was a metastasis ofthe same melanoma at issue in his temporary disability claim. Weaver's treating oncologist estimated in 2015 that Weaver had a 20-30 percent chance of surviving two more years and opined that the metastatic Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 melanoma would likely cause his death. Unable to continue working, Weaver filed a permanent disability benefits claim. The total amount ofpension benefits that Weaver sought was estimated at greater than $2 million: more than $5,000 per month, which his wife would continue to receive for the rest of her life to support their three minor children. The Department rejected Weaver's claim, reasoning that the "claim was filed for the same cancer that was denied previously." AR at 270. Assisted by new counsel. Weaver appealed to the Board. The City moved for summary judgment, arguing that Weaver's claim was precluded by collateral estoppel and res judicata. At a hearing before an ALJ, Weaver's counsel introduced declarations from Weaver's treating oncologist and a physician specializing in occupational medicine among firefighters: both opined that Weaver's sun exposure as a firefighter was a cause of his melanoma. The ALJ affirmed denial of Weaver's claim and granted the City's motion for summary judgment, concluding that collateral estoppel applied as a matter of law. The Board adopted the ALJ's order and denied Weaver's petition for review. Weaver appealed to the superior court, which affirmed the Board's order. Weaver then appealed to the Court of Appeals, which reversed, holding that neither collateral estoppel nor res judicata applied because preclusion would work an injustice and the subject matter ofthe two claims was not identical. Weaver v. City ofEverett,4 Wn. App.2d 303,421 P.3d 1013 (2018). The City and the Department each petitioned Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 this court for review, which was granted. Weaver v. City ofEverett, 192 Wn.2d 1001 (2018). ISSUES I. Does collateral estoppel preclude the issue of whether Weaver's melanoma is an occupational disease for purposes of his permanent disability claim? II. Does res judicata preclude Weaver's permanent disability claim? ANALYSIS The Industrial Insurance Act(Act), Title 51 RCW,governs workers' compensation cases, which we review in the same manner as other civil cases. RCW 51.52.140; RCW 34.05.030(2)(a). We review summary judgment orders de novo, viewing all facts and reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Hisle v. ToddPac. Shipyards Corp., 151 Wn.2d 853, 860, 93 P.3d 108(2004). Summary judgment is proper where there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. CR 56(c). The Act provides the sole avenue for filing workers' compensation claims in Washington. RCW 51.04.010. Under the Act, an "occupational disease" is a "disease or infection [that] arises naturally and proximately out of employment." RCW 51.08.140. Firefighters are statutorily entitled to a prima facie presumption that certain conditions, including melanoma, are occupational diseases. RCW 51.32.185(l)(a),(3). The presumption may be rebutted by a preponderance ofthe evidence. RCW 51.32.185(l)(c). We have observed that "the guiding principle in 5 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 construing provisions ofthe Industrial Insurance Act is that the Act is ... to be liberally construed ... with doubts resolved in favor ofthe worker." Dennis v. Dep't ofLabor & Indus., 109 Wn.2d 467, 470, 745 P.2d 1295 (1987). Here, the Board concluded that as to Weaver's initial temporary disability claim for melanoma, the City overcame the statutory presumption of occupational disease. The City and the Department argue that Weaver's subsequent permanent disability claim is accordingly precluded based on collateral estoppel and res judicata. Collateral estoppel and res judicata are equitable doctrines that preclude relitigation of already determined causes. Bordeaux v. Ingersoll Rand Co., 71 Wn.2d 392, 395-96,429 P.2d 207(1967). Both doctrines share a common goal ofjudicial finality and are intended to curtail multiplicity of actions, prevent harassment in the courts, and promote judicial economy. State v. Dupard,93 Wn.2d 268, 272,609 P.2d 961 (1980). The two doctrines are distinguishable in scope. Collateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, bars relitigation of particular issues decided in a prior proceeding. Christensen v. Grant County Hosp. Dist. No. 1, 152 Wn.2d 299, 306,96 P.3d 957 (2004). Res judicata, or claim preclusion, bars litigation of claims that were brought or might have been brought in a prior proceeding. Loveridge v. Fred Meyer, Inc., 125 Wn.2d 759, 763, 887 P.2d 898 (1995). Whether collateral estoppel or res judicata apply are questions oflaw that we review de novo. Christensen, 152 Wn.2d at 305; Lynn v. Dep't ofLabor and Indus., 130 Wn. App. 829, 837, 125 P.3d 202(2005). Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 1. Collateral Estoppel We first consider if collateral estoppel properly precludes adjudication ofthe issue of whether Weaver's melanoma is an occupational disease for purposes of his permanent disability claim. We conclude that the substantial disparity of relief between Weaver's temporary and permanent disability claims kept Weaver from fully and vigorously litigating the issue at the temporary disability claim stage. Therefore, because applying the doctrine in this instance would work an injustice and contravene public policy, we hold that collateral estoppel does not apply. "Collateral estoppel"'"means simply that when an issue of ultimate fact has once been determined by a valid and final judgment, that issue cannot again be litigated between the same parties in any future lawsuit.'" Dupard, 93 Wn.2d at 273 (quoting Ashe v. Swenson, 397 U.S. 436, 443, 90 S. Ct. 1189, 25 L. Ed. 2d 469 (1970)). For collateral estoppel to apply, the party against whom the doctrine is asserted must have had a full and fair opportunity to litigate its case in a prior proceeding. Hanson v. City ofSnohomish, 121 Wn.2d 552, 561, 852 P.2d 295(1993). A party asserting collateral estoppel must establish four elements: (1) the issue decided in the earlier proceeding was identical to the issue presented in the later proceeding; (2) the earlier proceeding ended in a judgment on the merits;(3)the party against whom collateral estoppel is asserted was a party to, or in privity with a party to, the earlier proceeding; and(4)application of collateral estoppel does not work an injustice on the party against whom it is applied. Christensen, 152 Wn.2d at 307. Weaver concedes that the first three elements are Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 met. Therefore, our analysis turns on the injustice element. A. Injustice To determine whether collateral estoppel will work an injustice, we ask whether the party against whom the doctrine is asserted had "sufficient motivation for a full and vigorous litigation ofthe issue" in a prior proceeding. Hadley v. Maxwell, 144 Wn.2d 306, 315,27 P.3d 600(2001). While the injustice element is "generally concerned with procedural, not substantive irregularity," we have recognized that "disparity of relief[between two proceedings] may be so great that a party would be unlikely to have vigorously litigated the crucial issues in the first forum and so it would be unfair to preclude relitigation ofthe issues in a second forum." Christensen, 152 Wn.2d at 309. Where a significant disparity of relief exists, the injustice element militates against application of collateral estoppel. Hadley, 144 Wn.2d at 315. "Collateral estoppel is, in the end, an equitable doctrine that will not be applied mechanically to work an injustice." Id. In Hadley, we held that collateral estoppel would work an injustice when a defendant in a personal injury action was previously found to have committed a minor traffic infraction associated with the incident, concluding that the defendant's "incentive to litigate [the traffic infraction] was low." M at 312. In Sprague v. Spokane Valley Fire Dep't, 189 Wn.2d 858, 903, 409 P.3d 160(2018), we held that collateral estoppel would work an injustice "because ofthe disparity ofrelief Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 between the plaintiffs prior employment appeal before a county administrative commission court, which he lost, and his subsequent court action: the commission had the power to order only reinstatement, whereas in the court action, the plaintiff sought injunctive relief, declaratory judgment, special damages, and punitive damages. We also observed that collateral estoppel is inappropriate where "the disparity between the reliefs available creates the risk that 'litigants [may]forgo their administrative remedies for fear of preclusion in other, more substantial claims.'" Id.(alteration in original)(quoting Shoemaker v. City ofBremerton, 109 Wn.2d 504, 513, 745 P.2d 858 (1987)). By contrast, in Reninger v. Department ofCorrections, 134 Wn.2d 437,951 P.2d 782(1998), we held that collateral estoppel would not work an injustice when the plaintiffs attempted to bring an employment action in court after losing their appeal regarding the same matter before an administrative tribunal. We concluded that "[tjhere was no disparity of relief between the two actions because the administrative tribunal had the power to order the same recovery as the superior court. Id. at 453 (noting that "a party may not have had an adequate opportunity to litigate when 'the amount in controversy in the first action may have been so small in relation to the amount in controversy in the second that preclusion would be plainly unfair'" (quoting RESTATEMENT(SECOND)OF JUDGMENTS § 28(5) commentj(Am.Law INST. 1982)). Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 Here, the disparity of relief between Weaver's temporary disability claim and his permanent disability claim was vast: less than $10,000 in lost wages was at stake in the former versus upwards of$2 million in continuing pension disability in the latter. While the Board had the power to order disability benefits in both actions, the actual amounts in controversy differed by an order of magnitude. Furthermore, Weaver argues that the expense of retaining expert witnesses necessary to fully and vigorously litigate his temporary disability claim and combat the City's experts would have exceeded the amount recoverable in that action.^ Though a firefighter is entitled to reimbursement of costs if he or she prevails on appeal of a disability benefits claim, ROW 51.32.185(9), the potential loss may be too substantial to warrant such risk where costs are prohibitive. Weaver's incentive to litigate the issue of whether his melanoma was an occupational disease was comparatively low in his temporary disability claim, commensurate with the relief at stake in that action. The City and the Department characterize Weaver's temporary disability claim as a "claim allowance" proceeding, which "a worker has every incentive to fully litigate" because it operates as "the gateway to all benefits." Suppl. Br. of Dep't and City at 22. At that phase, they argue, the "threshold question of whether he had an occupational disease" was decided for purposes of that claim, as well as any potential 'Weaver alleges that in the appeal of his permanent disability claim, the oncology expert alone was paid $19,000, though that figure is not reflected in the record. 10 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 future claims flowing from the same ailment. Id. While that may be true in theory, the Act nowhere uses the term "claim allowance" and provides scant notice to workers that a temporary disability claim carries such stakes. See e.g., RCW 51.32.185(9)(stating that firefighters may recover costs incurred on appeal if"the final decision allows the claimfor benefits"(emphasis added)). In support oftheir proposition, the City and the Department cite RCW 51.32.160, which provides for compensation readjustment in the event of aggravation of a disability. However, Weaver testified that he believed his melanoma was "cured" after undergoing surgery to remove the cancerous tissue from his back, which flirther indicates that he did not have sufficient incentive to litigate the issue of whether his melanoma was an occupational disease, especially for purposes of a then-unanticipated permanent disability claim. AR at 47. Viewing all facts and inferences in favor of Weaver as the nonmoving party, we conclude that application of collateral estoppel would work an injustice in this case because Weaver did not have sufficient motivation to fully and vigorously litigate the issue of whether his melanoma was an occupational disease at the temporary disability claim stage. As in Sprague, the disparity of relief between Weaver's two claims was dramatic, which is reason enough to conclude that preclusion would be unjust. That conclusion is reinforced by the facts that Weaver believed his melanoma was fully resolved at the time of his temporary disability 11 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 claim, the counsel he retained to assist him in appealing the order did not adequately prepare him, and the cost offully and vigorously litigating his claim outweighed the potential risk of loss. While Weaver's temporary disability claim was worth more than the traffic infraction fine in Hadley, this is nonetheless a case where "'the amount in controversy in the first action [was] so small in relation to the amount in controversy in the second that preclusion would be plainly unfair.'" Reninger, 134 Wn.2d at 453 (quoting RESTATEMENT § 28(5) comment](1982)). Moreover, applying collateral estoppel in this instance would create a perverse incentive, counter to the express intent of the Act, for Weaver and workers in his position to forgo temporary disability claims "'for fear of preclusion in other, more substantial claims.'" Sprague, 189 Wn.2d at 903 (quoting Shoemaker, 109 Wn.2d at 513). B. Policy Considerations The standard governing application of collateral estoppel to prior administrative determinations also weighs against precluding Weaver's permanent disability claim because applying collateral estoppel would contravene express public policies memorialized in the Act. We consider thi-ee factors in determining whether collateral estoppel ought to apply to decisions of administrative agencies: "(1) whether the agency acting within its competence made a factual decision; (2) agency and court procedural differences; and (3) policy considerations." Dupard, 93 Wn.2d at 275. Here, the first two factors are met because an ALJ made a factual 12 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 decision, which the Board adopted, and the Board appeal was procedurally similar to a court hearing, including the use of motions, introduction of witness testimony, and adherence to evidentiary standards. However,the third factor pertaining to policy considerations is not met. "Policy arguments have been often the deciding factor when collateral estoppel is based upon prior administrative determination. The doctrine may be qualified or rejected when its application would contravene public policy." Id. at 275-76 (internal citation omitted). In Dupard, we concluded that public policy considerations dictated rejection of collaterally estopping an issue previously determined by a parole board because the issue was more appropriately addressed to the criminal justice system. Id. at 276. Likewise in Sprague, we concluded that public policy considerations cut against collaterally estopping an issue previously determined by a county administrative commission because the issue implicated important constitutional questions. 189 Wn.2d at 904. Here, the statutory presumption of occupational disease in firefighters memorializes an unequivocal public policy of erring on the side offinding that among the class of workers into which Weaver falls, melanoma is presumed to arise naturally and proximately out of employment. RCW 51.32.185(1)(a),(3). More broadly, the Act was intended to provide "sure and certain relieffor workers, injured in their work, and their families and dependents . . . regardless of questions of fault." RCW 13 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 51.04.010. Finally, the Act is to be liberally construed "with doubts resolved in favor of the worker." Dennis, 109 Wn.2d at 470. Altogether, policy considerations militate against the application of collateral estoppel to Weaver's permanent disability claim. Though the Board found at the temporary disability claim stage that the City rebutted by a preponderance ofthe evidence the presumption that Weaver's melanoma was an occupational disease, that conclusion should not automatically dictate the outcome of Weaver's permanent disability claim. As in Dupard and Sprague, public policy indicates that the issue of whether Weaver's melanoma is an occupational disease merits fresh adjudication notwithstanding a prior administrative determination. Moreover, as noted, applying collateral estoppel in this instance would contravene the Act's policy of providing sure and certain relief to workers by disincentivizing them from filing initial, minor occupational disease claims due to concerns that denial ofthose claims would preclude potential, long-term, major claims involving the same disease. See Sprague, 189 Wn.2dat903. Notably, considerable overlap exists between the injustice element ofthe traditional collateral estoppel analysis and the policy factor ofthe collateral estoppel analysis unique to prior administrative determinations. "[T]he injustice factor 'recognizes the significant role of public policy.'" Christensen, 152 Wn.2d at 309 (quoting State v. Vasquez, 148 Wn.2d 303, 309, 59 P.3d 648 (2002)). Therefore, here, 14 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 as in Sprague,"whether one considers this truly a matter of'injustice' or a matter of 'public policy,' it supports a finding that collateral estoppel should not apply." 189 Wn.2d at 903 n.29. In sum, we conclude that application of collateral estoppel in this instance would work an injustice and contravene public policy. We therefore hold that the doctrine does not preclude the issue of whether Weaver's melanoma is an occupational disease for purposes of his permanent disability claim. II. Res Judicata Next we turn to the issue of whether res judicata applies to preclude Weaver's permanent disability claim in light ofthe Board's denial of his prior temporary disability claim. We conclude that because Weaver's permanent disability claim was not available at the time of his temporary disability claim, the subject matter of the two claims is not the same. Lacking identity of subject matter, we hold that res judicata does not apply to preclude Weaver's permanent disability claim. Res judicata precludes relitigation of an entire claim when a prior proceeding involving the same parties and issues culminated in a judgment on the merits. Bordeaux, 71 Wn.2d at 396; Hisle, 151 Wn.2d at 865. A party seeking to apply res judicata must establish four elements as between a prior action and a subsequent challenged action: "concurrence of identity ...(1)of subject-matter;(2)of cause of action;(3)of persons and parties; and (4)in the quality of the persons for or against 15 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 whom the claim is made." N.Pac. Ry. Co. v. Snohomish County, 101 Wash. 686, 688, 172 P. 878 (1918). Here, the third and fourth elements are met because the parties are identical and identically situated in both claims. Weaver does not contest the second element, so we accept for purposes of analysis that both claims involve the single cause of action enabled under the Act: compensation for work-related illness or injury. The parties' dispute pertaining to res judicata is thus limited to whether the claims share identity of subject matter. There is limited case law defining when the subject matter of related cases differs. Hayes v. City ofSeattle, 131 Wn.2d 706, 712, 934 P.2d 1179(1997). However, we have repeatedly held that "the same subject matter is not necessarily implicated in cases involving the same facts." Hisle, 151 Wn.2d at 866 (citing Hayes, 131 Wn.2d at 712; Mellor v. Chamberlin, 100 Wn.2d 643, 646,673 P.2d 610 (1983)). Specifically, a "cause of action which did not exist at the time of a former judgment could not have been the subject-matter ofthe action sustaining thatjudgment." Harsin v. Oman,68 Wash. 281, 284, 123 P. 1 (1912). In Mellor, we held that a claim for breach of a covenant of warranty was not precluded by a prior claim for misrepresentation as between the same plaintiffpurchaser and defendant-seller over the sale ofthe same parcel of real property. 100 Wn.2d at 647. "Although both lawsuits arose out ofthe same transaction . . .,their subject matter differed" because at the time ofthe misrepresentation suit, the plaintiff- 16 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al No. 96189-1 purchaser had not yet been injured due to the alleged breach of covenant. Id. at 646. The breach of covenant claim was "not ripe" at that time, therefore res judicata did not preclude the plaintiff-purchaser from raising it in a separate, later action. Id. at 647. Here, the parties essentially dispute the substantive character of Weaver's claims. Weaver argues that because he could not have brought his permanent disability claim at the time of his temporary disability claim, the two claims cannot share the same subject matter. He points out that he "could not have obtained an award of permanent disability benefits in the first claim because the applicable statutes and case law would not have allowed him to reeover for prospective disability." Suppl. Br. of Resp't at 12. On the other hand, the City and the Department argue that Weaver's temporary and permanent disability claims both turned on the common subject of whether his melanoma was an occupational disease. They emphasize that the Board "ruled only on whether to allow his occupational disease claim. It did not reach what benefits to authorize." Suppl. Br. of Dep't and City at 14. However, unlike collateral estoppel, which precludes relitigation of specific issues, res judicata precludes entire claims when those claims either were brought or could have been brought in a prior action. Having already coneluded that the issue of whether Weaver's melanoma was an occupational disease is not collaterally estopped for purposes of his permanent disability claim, the res judicata analysis asks us to decide whether his permanent disability claim shares the same 17 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 "subject matter" as his temporary disability claim and is thus precluded as a whole. Viewing all facts and inferences in favor of Weaver as the nonmoving party, we conclude that the subject matters of Weaver's two claims are distinct because his permanent disability claim did not exist and could not have been brought at the time of his temporary disability claim. Weaver's situation is like that ofthe plaintiff- purchaser in Mellor, who filed suit believing at the time that misrepresentation was the extent of injury but later discovered a breach of warranty and was able to separately maintain that claim because it was not previously ripe. Here, Weaver filed his temporary disability claim, believing at the time that he was "cured" and that $10,000 in lost wages would be the extent of his melanoma-related claims, but he later discovered that the cancer had metastasized to his brain. AR at 47. He should be able to separately maintain the permanent disability claim because it was not previously ripe. At the time of his temporary disability claim. Weaver's permanent disability claim "did not exist," therefore the permanent disability claim "could not have been the subject-matter" of his temporaiy disability claim. Harsin, 68 Wash, at 284. Because the two claims do not share identity of subject matter, at least one element of res judicata is not met. Accordingly, we hold that res judicata does not apply in this instance. We are also mindful that res judicata remains an equitable, common law doctrine. Like its sister doctrine, collateral estoppel,"res judicata ... is not to be 18 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 applied so rigidly as to defeat the ends ofjustice, or to work an injustice." Henderson V. BardahlInt'l Corp., 72 Wn.2d 109, 119, 431 P.2d 961 (1967). Here, application of res judicata would work an injustice because it would contravene clear public policy memorialized in the Act favoring relief from work-related illnesses and injuries for workers generally and firefighters in particular. Our holding thus accords with the Act, the operative case law, and the spirit ofthe doctrine of res judicata. Finally, mSpivey v. City ofBellevue, 187 Wn.2d 716, 741, 389 P.3d 504 (2017), we observed that the Act's cost recoupment provision pertaining to firefighters is broader than the Act's provision governing attorney fees generally. In that case, we held that a firefighter was entitled to costs and fees incurred in litigating before the Board when the firefighter ultimately prevailed on appeal, even though he had not prevailed before the Board. Id. at 739-40. Here, as in Spivey, we hold that if Weaver prevails on remand, he would be entitled to attorney fees associated with all phases of his appeal. CONCLUSION Viewing the facts in the light most favorable to Weaver, we hold that as a matter of law, collateral estoppel does not apply to preclude the issue of whether Weaver's melanoma was an occupational disease for purposes of his permanent disability claim because application of the doctrine in this instance would work an injustice and contravene public policy. We further hold that as a matter of law, res 19 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 judicata does not apply to preclude his permanent disability claim because the two claims do not share the same subject matter. While collateral estoppel and res judicata dictate that at common law, claimants are "entitled to one bite ofthe apple," Reninger, 134 Wn.2d at 454, applying either doctrine here would be an apples-tooranges application of common law doctrines to statutory claims, which would result in a "distasteful fruit salad of injustice." Weaver,4 Wn. App. 2d at 309. Accordingly, we affirm the Court of Appeals. 20 Weaver v. City ofEverett, et al. No. 96189-1 WE CONCUR: \f\AAA^iA~ f 21
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