Emery Reddy | Seattle L&I Attorneys

Navigating an L&I claim can be difficult and very time-consuming, especially when you’re sick 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 give up and 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. Sometimes evidence is withheld or hard to find, or L&I case managers are difficult to work with. If you are experiencing any challenges in your case, an L&I attorney can assist you. By contacting us as soon as possible after you’ve been injured, we can help you avoid the common pitfalls of filing an L&I claim. Our L&I attorneys are here for you every step of the way. We’ll handle all the legal stuff so you can focus on healing and getting back to work!

There are situations when time loss benefits are threatened, or an employer company tries to bribe employees into not using their benefits or injury compensation. The experienced attorneys at Emery Reddy can ensure that you are not hassled, or threatened, as you go through the process of workers’ compensation and get you everything to which you’re entitled.

Claim managers and employers often do the bare minimum in order to close your L&I 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.

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 L&I law and employment law meet. Consulting with an L&I attorney who also practices employment law, like the L&I attorneys at Emery Reddy, can help you understand your rights in this area.

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

Washington is a two-party consent state, which means you are not allowed to record your IME, but you are allowed to bring a friend. You should always bring someone who can witness the exam and take notes (keep in mind there are some exceptions to witnesses for mental health examinations). Here are some other tips on how to navigate an IME.

Surgeons and doctors can become fatigued with the claims process and feel pressure from L&I 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.