You could receive benefits through Washington State’s workers’ compensation program if you’ve suffered a work-related injury. Almost all employers in the state must offer this coverage to their employees. The program offers valuable benefits, but complying with the rules can sometimes be challenging.
If the workers’ compensation program denied your claim, our legal team could help. A Tacoma workers’ compensation lawyer can guide you through the system. A dedicated Tacoma personal injury lawyer could help you collect the payments you deserve and ensure that a single mistake does not derail your claim.
Does Your Injury Qualify for Workers’ Compensation in Washington State?
For your injury to qualify for work comp, you must have suffered your injury or illness while you were working. Washington State has a no-fault system, so it doesn’t matter who caused your pain; you could still be eligible for work comp benefits. Common job-related injuries include:
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Eye injuries
- Sprains
- Spinal cord injuries
Even if you suffered an injury on the job, but you’re still wondering if you qualify for a work comp case, one of our Tacoma workers’ compensation lawyers can review your case.
For a free legal consultation with a workers compensation lawyer serving Tacoma, call 206-558-5555
How Long do You Have to File Your Compensation Claim?
When you get injured at your Tacoma workplace, you’ll have one year from your injury date to file your work comp claim. The sooner you file your work comp claim, the sooner you’ll be able to start working on your case with one of our work injury lawyers.
We understand that after you’ve suffered an injury in a work accident, the last thing you want to do is take on a legal process. That’s why our team is here to help from when you meet with us for a free case review up until you receive your benefits.
What Information Should You Include in Your Work Compensation Claim?
You need to properly fill out an injury claim to get the compensation benefits you qualify for. A Washington State work comp claim requires the following information:
- Location of where the injury occurred
- Contact information for eyewitnesses
- Information about your employer
- Your salary or wage information
- Dependents’ names and ages
- Doctor information if you’ve already received medical attention
Our Tacoma work comp lawyers can help you make sure that you have all the correct information so you have the highest chance of receiving the benefits you need.
Tacoma Workers CompensationLawyer Near Me 206-558-5555
Washington’s Work Compensation Program
Revised Code of Washington §51.12.02 describes which employers must provide work comp to their employees. Almost everyone who hires someone else must participate in the program, with few exceptions. The State Department of Labor and Industries administers the program, and people often refer to “L&I” when discussing work comp.
Employees cannot opt out of workers’ comp. An employee cannot sue their employer for damages unless the employer illegally fails to participate in L&I or intentionally injures the worker.
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Benefits You Can Receive for Your Tacoma Industrial Injury
Filing a work comp claim for your Tacoma industrial injury can provide various benefits to support your recovery and minimize the financial impact. Here are some of the benefits our Tacoma workers’ compensation lawyer from our law firm can help you recover:
Medical Care Benefits
When an employee gets hurt while working or develops a work-related illness, work comp pays all medical expenses until the person is cured or reaches a point where further treatment will not improve their condition.
Lost Income Benefits
If the illness or injury causes you to lose time at work, L&I pays between 60-75% of your weekly wage, depending on how many dependents you have. A workers’ compensation doctor must certify that the employee cannot perform their job due to illness or injury.
If you can return to your job with restrictions or do a different job, L&I pays a percentage of the difference between your pre-injury salary and what you can earn in your current condition. Employees who believe they cannot return to work should contact a Tacoma lawyer for advice on collecting lost income benefits through the workers’ compensation system.
Disability Benefits
If an on-the-job accident causes a permanent partial disability (PPD), but the employee can work, L&I pays a settlement amount depending on the worker’s disability rating. This disability rating is a doctor’s assessment of how much functioning the worker has lost, expressed as a percentage.
If the employee’s condition is so severe that they will never be employable, L&I pays this person a disability pension for the rest of their life.
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How a Tacoma, WA, Work Compensation Lawyer Could Help You
The workers’ compensation system is complex, and there are multiple rules you must follow as an injured worker to get the benefits you are entitled to. Our local Tacoma lawyer is familiar with the process, knows how to avoid common pitfalls, and can provide legal advice
For example, sometimes, there are unacceptable delays in receiving L&I benefits, or a claim is improperly denied. In either scenario, one of our experienced legal professionals could contact the L&I office and try to resolve the issue. If an employee calls this office alone, they might have to reach out multiple times or never get a satisfactory response to their inquiry.
Legal representation is also invaluable if a worker undergoes an Independent Medical Examination (IME). This second opinion exam can be an option if the worker or employer disagrees with the treating physician’s first opinion. IME doctors also give employees their disability ratings. A work comp lawyer in Tacoma could help you prepare for an IME and ensure the doctor respects your right to have another person present and take notes at the exam.
Contact a Tacoma Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
If you have trouble getting the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to in Washington State, do not try to solve the matter yourself. Turn the issue over to a professional so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
A Tacoma workers’ compensation lawyer from Jackman Law Firm has experience representing ill and injured employees in L&I disputes. Contact us for your free case consultation with our Tacoma team today.
Call or text 206-558-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
