Worker’s Compensation

Washington State workers’ compensation laws protect workers who sustain injuries or illnesses in the course of employment. Through the Washington workers’ compensation system, injured workers can get payments to cover medical expenses, partial compensation for lost wages, and payments for partial or total disabilities. Additional benefits, such as vocational counseling, may also be available. Defining Industrial Injury Under Washington law, an industrial injury is considered to be a sudden or tangible happening of a traumatic nature with an immediate or prompt result. One of the most common types of industrial injuries is a fall at work. Most injuries cause bumps, […]

Were you injured while working in the State of Washington? If so, you may be eligible for Washington workers’ compensation benefits. Getting hurt at work can be painful and costly. Missing work due to an injury on the job only exacerbates the problem. Workers’ comp benefits may include the payment of medical treatment, lost wages, compensation for partial permanent impairment, vocational rehabilitation, and more. Washington State Workers’ Compensation Laws Washington State is one of four states that are monopolistic, or in other words, the state government rather than a private insurance company is the insurer. Employers with one or more […]

A workplace injury or occupational disease could result in medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Workers’ compensation benefits are designed to cover those costs. If you’ve been injured in the workplace, you might be wondering whether you should hire a Seattle workers’ compensation attorney to represent you. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a claim and get the compensation you’re entitled to. The types of injuries and illnesses that workers’ comp benefits typically cover include the following: Traumatic physical injuries Injuries due to repetitive physical motions Occupational diseases Death on the job Unfortunately, many workers’ compensation claims […]

According to the Industrial Safety Training Institute (ISTI): "65% of all confined space fatalities are due to hazardous atmosphere In 139 deaths, there were no detectors and no ventilation One-third of all deaths were supervisors 60% were rescuers 25% of spaces were toxic before entry" Unfortunately, many of these incidents occur because workers and employers do not know what constitutes a confined space and are unaware of the possible dangers that exist. In the event of an emergency, those that are faced with the dangers of entering a confined space are improperly trained and going in without the proper safeguards. […]

Typically, industrial injury or occupational disease claims begin with a traumatic physical injury or the development of a physical condition over time from repetitive activity at work. As a result, many benefits payable under the Washington State Industrial Insurance Act are contingent upon the existence of “objective findings” substantiating disability based upon physical injuries or conditions. However, it is not uncommon for injured workers to develop mental health conditions that are causally related to the industrial injury or occupational disease. Unlike physical conditions, medical evidence of objective findings of mental health conditions and the extent of disability stemming from mental […]

In the State of Washington, the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) is an independent state agency charged with the responsibility of hearing and deciding appeals from decisions of the Department of Labor and Industries (Department). The BIIA hears three principle types of appeals: (1) industrial insurance or workers’ compensation appeals; (2) appeals from safety citations under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act; and (3) appeals involving crime victim compensation. The BIIA’s mission is to serve the public by resolving appeals in a consistent, impartial, timely, and efficient manner. According to the BIIA, it is committed to providing a […]