WE HELP WORKERS®

Emery | Reddy, PLLC Seattle L&I Attorneys

Employment Law, Personal Injury, and Labor & Industries Attorneys

100+ 5 star reviews

30K+

Clients Since 2005

$200M+

Recovered

98%

Success Rate

60+ Years

Of Combined Experience

The L&I Attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC are passionate about helping workers with L&I claims and Employment Law issues. We Help Workers®. It’s our motto and what drives us every day.

We know how L&I and big companies think, and we understand the tactics they use. Our Seattle Labor and Industries Attorneys use that knowledge coupled with over two decades of experience to help our clients get access to the L&I benefits to which they are legally entitled and hold employers accountable when they break the law.

With our law office location in Seattle, we serve communities throughout the region, including Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Olympia, Shoreline, Spokane, and Tacoma. If you’re struggling with an L&I claim, personal injury, or legal issue at work, please call us  and see how Emery | Reddy can help you today. Ask around — our reputation speaks for itself.

Learn more: L&I — Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury Law, and Employment Law.

Injured on the job?

Seattle Employment, Personal Injury, and L&I Attorneys

recent awards

Fighting for You with Legal Expertise

With over 60 years of combined legal experience on both sides of the table, our knowledgeable and compassionate Seattle L&I Attorneys can help you understand your rights and determine a path forward so that you can focus on healing and getting back to work.

$20+ Million

L&I Pension Reserves

$20+ Million

Injury Awards

Employment/consumer Law Violations

$150+ Million

See how It works

Video Tutorials

Watch to learn more about Employment Law, Personal Injury Law, and Labor and Industries claims from Emery | Reddy partners Timothy W. Emery and Patrick B. Reddy. Our video library will help you better understand your Washington state workers’ rights and how we can help you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.

Washington State Employment Law

New Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) laws

New Cannabis Use Laws Going into Effect in Washington State in 2024

Washington State Equal Pay & Opportunities Act

Washington State L&I Claims Appeals

Washington State Time-Loss

Washington State PPD Awards

Play Video

Washington State Employment Law And L&I — Labor & Industries Attorneys — Emery | Reddy, PLLC

If you have an L&I claim, you may also have an employment claim. Listen to Patrick B. Reddy, partner at Emery | Reddy, PLLC as he shares how the Employment Law and L&I attorneys at Emery | Reddy can help you with both.

At Emery | Reddy, L&I Lawyers, Paralegals, and Staff work closely with each client to develop sophisticated and individualized legal strategies designed to secure the best possible outcome for the employee. We recognize that every case is unique. Our commitment to building close personal relationships is more than just a winning strategy for practicing law — it’s also the most rewarding part of our job.

In our view, this commitment to personal attention is the key to producing benchmark results. Emery | Reddy L&I Attorneys consistently exceed expectations by combining intelligence, experience, creativity, and dedication with the greatest possible value. Year after year, firm clients, the legal industry, and the awards community have honored Emery | Reddy with top awards for our dedication and commitment to delivering results for every client.

Emery | Reddy is the only law firm in Washington state that is equipped to provide comprehensive representation on your case from every angle. A lot of workers are terminated after an injury; this is disability discrimination. Some people learn after talking to lawyers that their employment rights have been violated, and sometimes for years. We analyze your entire claim for a range of violations including violations of Washington State’s Silenced No More Act, statutory protections against non-compete agreements, protections against disability discrimination, pay and wage violations, and benefits violations. There are some great companies who treat people well, but there are many who violate their workers’ rights. If your rights have been violated, we’ll figure out how, and we’ll protect you.

Emery | Reddy doesn’t get paid until you do. We work hard to get you the L&I benefits to which you are entitled. Our commitment shines through in everything we do, and we won’t rest until you are taken care of and satisfied with the outcome.

Our L&I Attorneys take pride in building a personal relationship with each client based on trust, respect, and a comprehensive understanding of their case and goals. Working in small, specialized teams, we take the time to build a relationship with each client and often develop friendships with the people we serve. We built our reputation by taking a highly selective approach to the cases we accept — a focus on fewer clients allows us to dedicate more of our time to winning your case.

Whether we litigate or settle for you, we focus on bottom-line solutions that provide clients with the maximum recovery in the shortest time possible. Other firms take the easy way out — they settle your case for less than you deserve because they are unwilling to litigate, face time constraints, or have other cases they would rather try. If we take your case, we pledge to keep fighting until we get you every last dollar of the award you deserve.

From the day we accept your case to the day you’ve received your recovery, we don’t stop fighting for you. Many firms consider a settlement check or injury award the end of their work, leaving clients with a number of loose ends to negotiate on their own. At Emery | Reddy, that milestone is just one step in finalizing your case — we continue working to negotiate your outstanding medical bills, resolve any subrogation issues, resolve insurance premium issues and increases, and even work through collection issues that may arise as a result of lost earnings associated with an injury. Simply put, we understand that obtaining your recovery is not the last step; we are here for you through the entire process.

We're here to protect you

Our Areas of Law Practice

L&I—Workers’ Comp

No one expects to get injured at work, but unfortunately, it does happen. If you’ve been injured while on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and we’re here to help you navigate your claim.

The claims process is often complex, time-consuming, and filled with paperwork and legal technicalities. Without the proper resources, navigating the L&I claims process can be overwhelming. Our team of L&I Attorneys has two decades of combined experience helping clients with Labor and Industries claims. We are passionate about helping Washington state workers receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Personal Injury Law

There’s never a good time to get hurt. So when injury strikes and you need experienced legal representation, give us a call. Our Personal Injury Attorneys spent the first years of their careers defending and trying cases in court for the insurance companies before changing sides and fighting for the rights of workers instead.

We know how the other side thinks, and we know how to build your case with the right experts, the right trial resources, and the best motions-practice strategy. We understand how to set up a case for success at trial, and we are committed to providing quality injury representation and guidance. When you hire us, you can rely on us to be there for you when you need us the most.

Employment Law

Whether wrongfully terminated from their job or discriminated against at work, we help Washington state workers hold employers accountable for violating workers’ rights. We understand Washington state and federal employment laws and know what it takes to bring a case to court or settle a claim. Our cases have changed Washington state law in favor of workers, and we’ve gone up against big-name corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and more.

Emery | Reddy is one of the only firms in the nation that litigates both L&I and Employment Law cases — because law firms that can’t do both are unlikely to get you the total claim award to which you may be entitled.

Testimonials

What Our Clients Are Saying

I can't recommend them highly enough. Thoughtful, informative, and extremely diligent. Their attorneys and their staff are extremely competent and they pay attention to every detail. You will not be disappointed!

The only lawyer you should be working with in wage theft is Tim Emery at Emery | Reddy. Tim and his team are top notch!!

In need of a good law firm, I was lucky and found Emery | Reddy. From the start, Patrick Reddy and his colleagues were extremely attentive, helpful, transparent, and professional. They are easy to work with, responsive and hard-working. Could not be happier with the experience. Great people! Great firm!

Working with Tim and his team was an absolute pleasure. They are incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and have their client's best interests at heart. I highly recommend them!

Excellent help and dedication. Thank you for standing up for those that get taken advantage of. It matters.

They were communicative, helpful, honest, and direct. And when things got rough and emotions were high, they helped me move through it. I can't say enough good things about this team. Thank you!

I found them helpful, this team is smart and efficient. They know their stuff and you can tell they really care about your case!

Tim is an amazing attorney. If you're looking for justice or restitution, Tim is your man!

The team was easy to work with and made a stressful situation seamless.

They were great to work with! Very communicative and made the process easy.

Relentless and persistent. Without Emery | Reddy, none of us would have seen what was owed to us.

This firm kept complete openness and honesty. They informed me when anything was changing or proceeding forward and gave constant updates on time lines. They are (an) all around great firm to have defending you.

Karolina is the best I just love her! She understands me and goes above and beyond without judgment! I would recommend this firm to anyone. Thank you guys for your services and thank you Karolina for just being you ♥️

In months of despair and the empty feeling of not being heard, Emery | Reddy answered my prayers. I stood up to a company that did not treat me or my co-workers fairly. Godspeed to Emery | Reddy for having my back! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Tim Emery is fantastic! He is easy to work with and keeps you updated in a timely manner! His friendly personality makes it easy to ask him any question! Utilize Tim if you want to win your case! Thanks a lot Tim! It was a pleasure working with you to settle my case!

Words cannot express how grateful I am for this respectful, professional and diligent group of workers here. I am truly in awe of this company, my L&I case would have dragged on for much longer had it not been for them. They honestly gave me my life back…

Working with Tim and his team was an absolute pleasure. They are incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and have their client's best interests at heart. I highly recommend them!

I would highly recommend Emery | Reddy law firm for personal injury, also dealing with L&I. Not only was pace of communication quick, but they were excellent in explaining intricacies of the case. I was very thankful I had been directed to this firm.

Emery | Reddy knows how employers manipulate the system and patiently analyze the entire situation and manage the processes in great detail and defensively. They are the best because they care for their clients, and take your life situation personally, as if your family.

Spectacular! I am a man of few words, but why speak when you have the very best at your disposal to represent you. There is no finer. Anyone who has a legal issue and needs results, I highly recommend that you contact them without hesitation nor mental reservation. Call them, it's the right choice!

Karolina Arthur at Emery | Reddy is simply a phenomenal person, she gave me a beacon of hope at a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed almost impossible. Not only did she go above and beyond for me, but she did it so quickly and efficiently that it was amazing!

When you want justice, when you want results delivered and when it comes to advocacy for the people without a doubt, you look to Tim and the team at Emery | Reddy. Simply put, they are a class above the rest with their knowledge, professionalism, and transparency.

I worked with Tim and the firm's wonderful paralegals on a misclassification case. It's always scary to stand up for yourself, particularly to a corporation; however, Tim and his team explained every step and made sure to give me honest advice about the case.

I am so thankful I reached out for their help and would say to anyone that finds themselves in a similar situation to inquire with them for representation! Worker’s Comp situations are stressful and hard enough as it is — don’t walk it alone!

Working with Tim and Patrick was an absolute pleasure. They are both professionals of the highest caliber, and they helped turn a difficult set of circumstances into a clearly navigable process that resulted in a very favorable outcome.

Tim and the Emery | Reddy team has helped me with an employment matter…and I must say, I can't say enough how grateful and happy I am with the service I have received. They were detail-oriented, attentive, on time with communication, and very knowledgeable. Highly, highly recommend!

Emery | Reddy made a very difficult experience better than I hoped for. My settlement was near the max possible. They were kind, understanding and stayed in communication with me.

I have nothing but praise for the Emery | Reddy law firm. Every individual that I dealt with was more than willing to drop what they were doing and assist me ASAP. I cannot thank them enough for their determination in getting me the just repairs done to my body.

Did an intake with Kendra, she was awesome very supportive and helped guide me through steps! Highly recommend.

Very prompt, understanding, and, Annie French was very helpful and walked me through all documents needed to be signed.

Tim and his team is beyond fantastic, they worked on my case and words can not express how grateful I am for them! Extremely professional and very knowledgeable with great communication that ended in a great win for my case.

I am so impressed by this firm, they are absolutely amazing. They always get back to me quickly, take the time to answer my questions, and have been so helpful. I can highly recommend them as being the best of the best.

FAQs

L&I Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Labor and Industries Attorney?

If you have an L&I claim or wonder if you have a personal injury case, ask yourself the following:

Have I been denied the medical care benefits to which I am legally entitled?
Has L&I asked me to undergo an Independent Medical Exam (IME)?
Do I have questions about the L&I claim process?

If any of the above apply to you, Emery | Reddy may be able to help.

Navigating a workers’ compensation claim can be difficult and very time-consuming, especially when you’re ill or injured. You want to focus on healing and make sure your bills are paid, but if you don’t file things properly or on time, your health, home, and job could be in jeopardy. Many individuals miss out on much-needed L&I benefits because they don’t understand what to do or how to get the most compensation for their injuries. If you are experiencing any challenges in your case, a Labor and Industries attorney can assist you. By contacting Emery | Reddy as soon as possible after you’ve been injured, we can help you avoid the common pitfalls of filing and navigating an L&I claim. Our Seattle L&I Attorneys are here for you every step of the way.

How Can a Labor and Industries Lawyer Help My Case?

There are situations when L&I threatens to interrupt time-loss benefits or an employer tries to bribe workers into not using their L&I benefits or injury compensation. The Experienced L&I Attorneys at Emery | Reddy can ensure that you are not hassled or threatened as you go through the L&I claim process and get you the benefits to which you’re entitled.

Why Hire an L&I Attorney If My Claim Is Still Open?

L&I Claims Managers and employers often do the bare minimum in order to close your claim as quickly as possible. They can’t, and often won’t, tell you what is in your best interests. Hiring an L&I attorney can help strengthen your case and give you the best chance at maximizing your recovery — which means better health and better financial success.

Is My Job Protected If I Am on L&I?

Surprisingly, no. Your employer has a legal duty to accommodate you, but they do not have to create a job for you, including light duty. This is a very complex intersection where Labor and Industries and Employment Law meet. Consulting with a Labor and Industries attorney who also practices Employment Law — like the L&I attorneys at Emery | Reddy — can help you understand your rights in this area.

Emery | Reddy, PLLC is the only law firm in Washington state that is equipped to provide comprehensive representation on your case from every angle. Our Seattle L&I Attorneys thoroughly assess every case to determine if our clients have additional claims, and at times this can extend far beyond the underlying workers’ compensation claim.

If you have been injured in the workplace, call Emery | Reddy today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review and to learn about how we may be able to help you with your claim.

How Do I Maximize My L&I Benefits?

A Labor and Industries disability pension is a special category of pension only awarded to the most severely injured workers in Washington state. If you are eligible for an L&I disability pension, you will receive a non-taxable payment every month for the rest of your life.

Under Washington state law (WAC 296-14-150), gainful employment is defined as a regular occupation (in any position) for income, salary, or wages. If your doctor or Vocational Counselor says that you cannot ever work again because of a job-related injury or illness, you may be entitled to Labor and Industries disability pension benefits.

It’s not easy to win an L&I disability pension — you must be committed to the process. As these lifetime benefits are so valuable, the system is set up to derail your claim at every step along the way.

The process involves complicated bureaucratic hurdles and red tape, along with consultations with L&I Claims Managers, employers, Vocational Counselors, and Independent Medical Examiners who do not always have your best interests in mind. These parties have blocked many workers before you and will try to stop you from securing an L&I disability pension. An experienced L&I attorney with a proven track record of avoiding those traps is your best bet for successfully navigating the system.

Will I Get an L&I Settlement or Award If I Am Injured and File an L&I Claim?

Even though the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is designed to protect injured workers and get them back to work, in many cases there is no L&I settlement or award, even if you are suffering from a painful injury and have missed work. Consulting with a knowledgeable Labor and Industries lawyer can clarify how the L&I process works and help qualify you for the maximum benefits you’re eligible to receive.

Can I Record My Independent Medical Exam (IME) or Bring Someone with Me?

You have the right to record an Independent Medical Examination (IME) using audio and/or video. If you would like to record, you or your representative must formally notify the IME provider of your intent to record the examination no fewer than seven days in advance. The IME provider should supply any equipment associated with recording the examination; however, it is wise to be prepared with a recording device of your own that you can set down for the duration of the Independent Medical Exam.

Just as it is your right to record the examination, it is the IME provider’s right to deny your request if they do not consent to be recorded. In order to accommodate both parties, the IME scheduler will cancel the Independent Medical Exam (IME) and attempt to schedule your examination with a provider who does consent to be recorded. Some providers only allow recording in their examinations under the condition that they also record a copy for themselves, in which case you may be asked to consent to co-recording. For additional details regarding your rights and obligations regarding recording of IME examinations, please visit the L&I website.

Can I Change My L&I Doctor to Get More Treatment?

Surgeons and doctors can become fatigued with the claims process and feel pressure from Labor and Industries to close your claim as soon as possible. You have the right to change doctors, but you should only do so after consulting with an L&I attorney. Changing doctors too many times can hurt your case and prevent you from getting back to work sooner.

Can Emery | Reddy Help Me File My L&I Claim?

If you are injured at work, you have three options to file a Washington state L&I claim:

File by phone at 877.561.3453.
File online through the L&I website’s File Fast tool.
File at your doctor’s office.

Note that if you work with a self-insured employer (SIE), you must file your claim directly with them. Contact your employer’s personnel department for help.

To file an L&I claim in Washington state, you must provide the following:

The location where the injury occurred
Contact information for any witnesses to the injury
Employer information
Wage information
Names and birth dates of your dependents

If you have already seen a doctor:

Your doctor’s first and last name
The hospital or clinic where you received treatment

If you are eligible for time-loss and no further information is needed, L&I or your self-insured employer (SIE) will send the first benefit check within 14 days of receiving the report. If your doctor is one of the many healthcare providers that do not handle workers’ compensation claim cases, you can find an L&I-approved doctor on the L&I website. If your L&I claim is approved, the State will cover the initial visit even if it wasn’t with one of their approved doctors.

What Are Some L&I Benefits?

Injured workers have access to a number of L&I benefits designed to replace lost income, cover medical costs, and even account for long-term consequences of an industrial injury. Everyone has the right to these benefits, but maximizing your benefits and compensation can be challenging if you’re unfamiliar with the claims process and what evidence to provide.

Call Emery | Reddy today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review and to learn how we may be able to help you with your claim.

How Do I File or Join a Class Action Lawsuit?

If you feel that you are owed damages or have questions regarding class actions, call Emery | Reddy today to speak to an experienced Intake Specialist for a Free Case Review to learn more about how we may be able to help you with your claim.

Are you Injured?