Breathing harmful airborne particles in the workplace puts employees at an increased risk of respiratory illness and can have long-term consequences for your health, productivity, and quality of life. However, many workers are not even aware that their jobs are compromising their health. Some respiratory diseases can take years or even decades to develop.

There are many kinds of respiratory conditions that lead to a broad range of complications, including shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, and a lack of stamina. When symptoms become so acute that a worker can no longer reliably perform basic job functions, that employee may be eligible to collect L&I benefits through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

High-Risk Jobs

Employees in many different positions can be exposed to particulates that cause respiratory illness, irritation, and disease. Some of the industries with high rates of respiratory problems include:

• Construction,
• Mining,
• Agricultural work involving chemical pesticides and herbicides,
• Manufacturing,
• Vehicle repair, and
• Demolition

In addition, any job where employees repeatedly work around dust, aerosol sprays, or other fine particulates can pose a threat to workers’ health.

Committed Advocacy For Your Respiratory Illness Claim

Respiratory illness can be caused by many different factors, including short or long-term exposure to airborne particles, acute injuries, and industrial accidents. Respiratory conditions that may entitle a worker to seek Social Security benefits include the following:

• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Lung cancer
• Emphysema
• Cystic fibrosis
• Asbestosis
• Dyspnea
• Bronchiectasis

If you or someone you know is suffering from a work-related respiratory illness, contact our team for a free case analysis. Our Seattle L&I attorneys are committed to helping you pursue your L&I claim. Our experienced legal team understands the personal and financial hardships that a work-related injury or occupational illness can cause, and we make every effort to ease that burden and recover the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how our firm can help with your claim, please call Emery | Reddy, PLLC today.

Our Seattle L&I Attorneys Will Help You Recover:

• Medical benefits: L&I medical benefits will cover all medical costs associated with your claim. This can include doctor appointments, treatments, surgeries, occupational therapy, and prescription medications.
• Time-loss and wage replacement: If you are approved for time-loss benefits, you may receive compensation for lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.
• Damages for pain and suffering: L&I award amounts vary widely and typically fall into three categories:

1. 1. L&I Disability Pensions: A life-long benefit awarded to injured workers who will never be able to return to any gainful employment due to a severe or life-threatening injury.
2. 2. Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) Awards: A one-time sum paid to injured workers when their L&I claim is closed. The worker can re-enter the workforce following a PPD award.
3. 3. Claim Resolution Settlement Agreement (CRSA): An L&I settlement option where all parties agree to close an injury claim for a specified amount. When agreeing to this settlement type, the injured worker exchanges all future benefits, except medical, for the payment.

We understand that many families depend on the income of an injured worker, and our respiratory illness and L&I attorneys are dedicated to winning the benefits and compensation to which you are entitled by law. Our practice was founded on a commitment to advocating for workers’ rights, and we are proud of our record protecting the injured and disabled. Call us today to learn how Emery | Reddy can help you with your respiratory illness L&I claim.

Your L&I Claim Is Worth More If You Also Have An Employment Law Claim

A significant number of L&I workers’ compensation claims often involve additional legal claims such as employment law or third-party claims. Many people file their claims without seeking representation from an L&I attorney and thus never discover that in addition to their L&I claim, they may be missing out on the ability to file an employment law claim or a third-party claim. Pursuing additional legal action has the potential to significantly increase a claim’s overall compensation.

What Is An Employment Law Claim?

Many injured workers find that their employer has taken, or plans to take, adverse action against them because they filed an L&I claim or they are out of work. You can file a lawsuit against your employer for several reasons, including retaliation, wrongful termination, disability discrimination, or unpaid wages. An L&I attorney who is experienced in both L&I workers’ compensation law and employment law can help you with your L&I claim while simultaneously filing a federal or state law claim for the violation of workers’ rights by your employer.

What Is A Third-Party Claim?

A third-party claim is one in which someone other than your employer or co-worker is responsible for your injury. If you have been injured on the job due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third-party claim, which combines your L&I claim with a personal injury claim using the same facts.

Unlike workers’ compensation payments, there is no limit to the amount of compensation an injured worker may seek in third-party damages.

Who Is At Fault For A Workplace Injury?

L&I is a no-fault system, ensuring compensation for any workplace injury. However, if a third party is involved in causing the injury, you may be able to pursue legal action against them for additional compensation under third-party claims.

How Do I Know If I Have A Case?

The bottom line is that anyone who isn’t familiar with L&I claims should seek the input of experienced L&I attorneys who are.

After years of helping injured workers, Emery | Reddy has recovered hundreds of millions for our clients. Our team of L&I attorneys is experienced in litigating L&I claims, injury law claims, and employment violations. We understand how to leverage each claim in state (or federal) court and before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals to maximize the value of all of your claims.

Emery | Reddy Can Help You With Your L&I Claim

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 with our legal team for a free case review. Please remember to have your L&I claim number readily available.

Want More Information?

Claim Value

To determine the value of your L&I claim, you first need to understand the different types of L&I awards offered in Washington State.

L&I FAQ

The L&I workers’ compensation process is anything but straightforward. Find out the answers to your L&I workers’ comp questions today.

L&I—Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to injured workers.

Meet The Team

The L&I attorneys at Emery | Reddy are passionate about helping workers with L&I claims and employment law issues. We Help Workers®: it’s our motto and it’s what drives us every day.

We know how L&I and big companies think, and we understand the tactics they use. Our 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.

If you’re struggling with an L&I claim, injury, or legal issue at work, please call us and see how Emery | Reddy can help you today.