The L&I Industrial Insurance Act

The L&I Industrial Insurance Act provides for Washington state’s workers’ compensation system. The Industrial Insurance Act (IIA) states that workers cannot sue their employers or their coworkers, but injured workers can obtain benefits for lost wages, lost earnings, and medical treatment.

Industrial Insurance (workers’ compensation) is a form of insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to injured workers. In Washington state, it is handled by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), a state agency that oversees distributing workers’ compensation benefits to employees who are injured at work or contract an illness from their job. Virtually all workers in Washington state have workers’ compensation coverage.

What Benefits Does L&I Provide Injured Workers Through The Industrial Insurance Act?

L&I has a range of workers’ compensation benefits at its disposal to help employees recover from a workplace injury or illness. The following is a partial list of L&I benefits:

• Wage Replacement & Loss of Earning Power Benefits
• Prescription Medications
• Medical Benefits
• Travel Reimbursements
• Property Reimbursement
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
• Pensions – Permanent Total Disability
• Structured Settlement
• Survivor Benefits
• Vocational Rehabilitation (Job retraining)

What Do I Do If My Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied?

If your workers’ compensation claim is rejected for any reason, it is in your best interest to enlist the help of an experienced L&I attorney to protest or appeal your denied injury claim. You may protest any L&I decision within 60 days of the date of the decision by writing a letter to your claim manager. If you disagree with the decision regarding your protest, you may appeal to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals within 60 days of that decision.

When To Hire An L&I Attorney

If you are facing an appeal of your workers’ compensation claim, our experienced L&I attorneys will review your claim and the relevant facts for free, and let you know how we can help. Our efforts regularly result in benefits for our clients, including:

• Medical costs
• Ongoing medical coverage including surgery costs
• Lost back wages
• Permanent or partial disability payments
• Pension and structured settlement payments

Call Emery Reddy today to find out how we can help you get the benefits you deserve as determined by the Industrial Insurance Act.