» Washington Workers' Compensation
I got hurt on the job and my employer told me not to file a workers’ compensation claim with L&I. Should I file anyway?
We recently got a phone call from “Bob” (not his real name). While working construction, Bob fell and broke his wrist. His employer told him not to file a claim with L&I, gave him a light duty job, and kept paying him his regular wages. But t…
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Pension Option Form -- How to Cut through the Confusion
Before the Department of Labor and Industries closes your claim to put you on a pension, it sends you a Pension Option form. The form is confusing and misleading because L&I does not “show its math.” Here is some information that will…
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Categories: Washington Workers' Compensation
New workers' comp protections for health care and frontline workers during a pandemic
Two bills signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee will grant presumptive workers’ compensation protections to health care and frontline workers during a public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5115…
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Categories: Washington Workers' Compensation
Injured Workers Have the Right to Bring an Observer to IME
L&I recently released its policy on a worker’s right to bring an observer to an IME. This is a good policy for injured workers. It provides: You can bring an adult friend or family member as an observer to a non-mental health IME. You cannot br…
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Categories: Washington Workers' Compensation
Should I file a new claim or reopen an old claim?
I hurt my back again (or neck, or knee, or….). Should I reopen my old claim or file a new one? Always do both. File a reopening application for an old claim if the medical condition was previously covered by an old claim, and file a new claim,…
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Make Sure Your Time Loss Wage Order is Correct
If I were to list the top 10 mistakes made on workers’ compensation cases in Washington State, near the top would be a worker failing to appeal a wage order that sets his or her monthly wages too low. A worker’s time loss compensation is based on…
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Categories: Washington Workers' Compensation
Is there a settlement? Permanent Partial Disability
January 22nd, 2018
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…
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Categories: Washington Workers' Compensation
New L&I Pilot Program: Acupuncture for Treatment of Low Back Pain
August 28th, 2017
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…
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Categories: Washington Workers' Compensation
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…
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Categories: Washington Workers' Compensation
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…
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