The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has a range of workers’ compensation benefits at its disposal that serve as a vital safety net, ensuring that employees are supported in the event of work-related injuries or illnesses. From medical coverage to financial assistance during periods of disability, these benefits provide essential support for workers and their families.
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If you have a Labor and Industries claim and have...
If you have a Labor and Industries claim and wonder...
If you have a Labor and Industries claim and have...
If you have a Labor and Industries claim and wonder...
You, your employer, and your doctor all have the right to protest any decision made about your workers’ compensation claim. L&I must receive a written protest within 60 calendar days of the date the decision was received (15 days for decisions about vocational benefits) or the decision becomes final.
You may also appeal directly to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA). The decision becomes final if your written appeal is not received within the following legal time limits from the date you received the decision:
A significant number of Washington state L&I claims often involve additional legal claims such as employment or third-party claims. Many people file their claims without seeking representation from an experienced local Washington state L&I attorney and thus never discover that, in addition to their Washington state L&I claim, they may be missing out on the ability to file an employment claim or a third-party claim. Pursuing additional legal action with the help of an experienced Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I attorney has the potential to significantly increase a claim’s overall compensation. At Emery | Reddy, our experienced Attorneys practice both Employment and Labor Law as well as Workers’ Compensation Law, which means we will investigate all aspects of your claim to make sure you aren’t missing out on any potential benefits.
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, discrimination, or unpaid wages. An L&I attorney who is experienced in both L&I — Workers’ Compensation Law and Employment and Labor Law can help you with your Washington state L&I claim while simultaneously filing a federal or state law claim for the violation of workers’ rights by your employer.
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 Washington state 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. Third-party claims are private matters and are typically litigated directly with the Washington State Superior Court.
L&I is a no-fault system, ensuring compensation for any industrial disease. However, if a third party is involved in causing your illness, you may be able to pursue legal action against them for additional compensation under third-party claims.
Please visit our Resource Center for even more information regarding Labor and Industries (L&I), personal injury, and Employment Law including, but not limited to the following:
If you have a Washington state L&I claim or wonder if you should contact an experienced Seattle L&I attorney, ask yourself the following:
If any of the above apply to you, Emery | Reddy may be able to help.
Navigating a Washington state L&I 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 Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I 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.
Emery | Reddy is the only law firm in Washington state that is equipped to provide comprehensive representation on your case from every angle. Our Washington state 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 for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how we may be able help. No fee unless we recover for you.
Whether you’ve been injured on the job, subjected to mistreatment in the workplace, or affected by a privacy breach, our expert attorneys are here to help.
