Kinney Law Group — Washington Injury and Disability Law Blog

Safety Violations Result in Felony Charges

For the first time a Washington employer faces felony charges of manslaughter for a workplace fatality, based on the willful violation of excavation safety regulations. The King County prosecutor filed second-degree manslaughter charges in January 20… Read More
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Hotel Owner Knowingly Exposes Workers to Asbestos Hazards

On January 22, 2018, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced that it has cited the owner of the Seattle Pacific Hotel for using untrained workers to remove asbestos during renovation. A certified asbestos-abatement contractor had… Read More
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Is there a settlement? Permanent Partial Disability

Injured workers often ask if they will receive a settlement at the end of their worker’s compensation case. The answer is –it depends. If there is objective evidence that your injury will not totally heal, then you should receive a permanent part… Read More
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2017 Workers' Compensation COLA Amount

In an earlier blog post, I talked about increases in workers’ compensation time loss and pension benefits due to cost of living adjustments (COLAs). For July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, the COLA is 4.8%. Here is the release from L&I abou… Read More
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New L&I Pilot Program: Acupuncture for Treatment of Low Back Pain

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recently announced a 2-year pilot program to study the use of acupuncture to treat low back pain. It will begin October 1, 2017. Apart from this program, L&I does not cover the cost of acupuncture… Read More
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TIME LOSS, SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT OFFSET DEDUCTIONS – WHY DID MY TIME LOSS GO DOWN?

If you are getting worker’s compensation time loss under your Washington State Department of Labor and Industries claim, and you also start to get federal Social Security Disability benefits, or Social Security Retirement benefits, you probably wil… Read More
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I’VE BEEN INJURED. WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST? Taking Photos After an Accident Can Help Your Case

You’ve been injured in either a workplace accident or personal injury accident (motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, etc.). The first thing you should do is seek whatever immediate medical attention you need. The next thing you should do is take… Read More
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When do I get a cost of living adjustment (COLA) from L&I on my workers’ compensation time loss or pension payments?

It’s July! Time for a COLA? When do I get a cost of living adjustment (COLA) from L&I on my workers’ compensation time loss or pension payments? For most workers – those who are not also receiving Social Security Disability or Retirement be… Read More
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Work injury "lights up" preexisting arthritis or other degenerative condition -- Is it covered?

It’s a common situation, especially among middle-aged workers. You have preexisting arthritis in your knee, back, shoulder, neck or other joint but no symptoms from it. The arthritis is there but doesn’t really bother you and doesn’t keep you f… Read More
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Worker Memorial Day celebration to honor WA workers who died from work-related causes

On Thursday, April 27, 2017, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will hold a Worker Memorial Day ceremony to honor 79 workers who died from a work-related illness or injury. Almost all of the 79 workers died in 2016. The… Read More
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