The Department or Self-Insured employer will reimburse an injured worker for some claim related travel expenses. According to WAC 296-20-1103, travel expense is reimbursed as follows: (1) The department or self-insurer will reimburse travel expense incurred by workers for: (a) Examinations at department’s or self-insurer’s request; (b) Approved vocational retraining […]

Can An Employer Legally Fire A Worker For Filing A Workers’ Compensation Claim? No.  This is a form of discrimination and it is forbidden to do so.  A worker has 90 days to file a discrimination complaint with L&I if this does happen.  Forms can be found on the Department’s […]

Inslee Announces Workers’ Compensation Coverage To Include Quarantined Health Workers/First Responders In a press release dated March 5, 2020 on Governor’s official website, Governor Inslee’s office advised: “Today, Gov. Jay Inslee and Joel Sacks, director of the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced that the state is taking […]

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries has created a video that provides information about workplace rights, safety, and health to H-2A workers when they arrive in Washington. An H-2A worker is a temporary agricultural worker. The video focuses on protecting workers’ rights, helping workers avoid injuries and illnesses, and […]

Yes, under certain conditions. An injured worker must be unable to work for 12 continuous months before they are eligible for SSDI benefits. If the injured worker qualifies for both SSDI and workers’ compensation benefits, the maximum combined benefit is 80% of the injured worker’s highest average monthly wage during […]

If an injured worker was injured due to the negligence of someone other than the employer or co-worker, a “third-party” claim is possible.  The injured worker can receive workers’ compensation benefits while pursuing a claim against the third party.  Any third-party recovery is subject to a lien by the Department […]

Yes.  Injured workers are allowed to see any physician they choose as long as the physician is a network provider and is conveniently located. (RCW 51.36.010(2)(a)).  Sometimes an employer may encourage or direct their employee to see a particular provider, but the worker is not required to see a particular […]

Medical Benefits Permanent Partial Disability Vocational Assistance Interpreter Services Wage Replacement Benefits Permanent Total Disability Mileage Reimbursement     

On its website, the BIIA states the following: “If your case goes to hearing, you should consider hiring an attorney. The judge cannot act as your attorney and cannot represent your interests.” Should you anticipate the need to hire an attorney for a hearing before the BIIA, please consider consulting […]

Industrial Injury: One Year Industrial injury claims must be filed within one year after the day of the injury. Ultimately, the responsibility for filing the claim rests with the injured worker. See RCW 51.28.050.   Occupational Diseases: Two Years Occupational disease claims must be filed within two years following the date […]