Wash. Court of Appeals published opinion — D2 56466-1-II Published Opinion.pdf

tension, anxiety[,] and mistrust in the workplace.” CP at 382. Paddock’s employment with the Port

ended on February 28, 2017.

III. PADDOCK’S WORKPLACE INJURY AND DISABILITY

On February 13, 2017, while Paddock was on administrative leave and before he was fired,

he reopened a workplace shoulder injury claim. A doctor determined that he would need surgery

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No. 56466-1-II

and that it was unlikely he would be able to work as a heavy equipment mechanic after the

procedure.

On March 6, 2017, after the Port terminated him, Paddock went to a follow-up appointment

for his shoulder injury. The doctor’s visit note stated, “At this point he cannot do his job of injury

and will have restrictions [on] lifting more [than] 10 pounds and [on] reaching with the right arm.”

CP at 410. Nevertheless, Paddock maintained that he could still perform his mechanic work

because he was “nursing” his shoulder and he had help from others doing the required work. CP

at 431. He explained, “I had a plan to have my shoulder repaired after I retired. And I had helpers

with me . . . helping me do the work. So[,] I was . . . able to get it done with my experience.” CP

at 431-32.

Paddock had shoulder replacement surgery on July 19, 2017. At a Board of Industrial

Insurance Appeals hearing, Paddock testified that after he had the surgery, he became physically

incapable of doing the job he had with the Port.

In 2019, Paddock applied for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration.

In that application, he alleged that because of his shoulder replacement surgery and other medical

challenges, he had been unable to work since February 13, 2017. In a disability determination