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Frustrating Yet Successful Week for My Workers' Compensation Clients
This week has been challenging. I was in Olympia twice for hearings, in Tacoma twice for depositions and in North Seattle one day for a claim related meeting. I also encountered a banking issue that I thought was a serious problem but turned out to b…
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State-Funded vs Self-Insured Workers' Compensation Claims
Background In Washington State Workers’ compensation claims, it is important whether a claim is state-funded versus self-insured. Workers’ compensation cases are governed by the Industrial Insurance Act, which was created to provide benefits to w…
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The Healthcare Industry Has the Highest Rate of Work Related Injuries and Illnesses
Introduction According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors of the US economy. Women represent nearly 80% of that workforce. Working in healthcare means being involved in providing direct…
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Workers Compensation in Kitsap County and the Local Job Market
In Washington State, once an injured worker received all treatment available for their industrially related conditions, the Department of Labor and Industries must determine if the worker is employable. After treatment, some injured workers can retur…
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Work Injury in the Logging Industry in Western Washington
Logging has been an important industry for Washington State. It still drives the local economy in some counties. Where there is logging there is injury at work. According to the Washington State Timber Harvest Reports, Lewis County and Grays Harbor C…
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One Treatment Does Not Fit All: Chronic Pain and Opioids
If you follow workers’ compensation articles, then you know I often talk about opioids and opioid addiction among injured workers. I recently came across this article from July 2018. I wanted to share this article because it highlights key topi…
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Injured Workers Have 60 Days to Protest or Appeal L&I decisions
The number 60 is very important in Workers’ Compensation claims. When the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) makes formal decisions regarding benefits, those decisions are issued as Orders. These orders are sometimes called “Ord…
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Donating to Families of Catastrophically Injured Workers
When a loved one is injured at work, there is obviously an emotional and financial impact on the family. If a worker suffers catastrophic or deadly injuries, there is an organization that is dedicated to providing some support and relief for families…
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Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and Structured settlements
I frequently speak with clients and prospective clients about settlements. When people speak of settlements, it can mean a variety of things. Sometimes people have the impression that permanent partial disability (PPD) awards are settlements. Strictl…
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Employers Abusing the L&I Stay at Work Program
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has an incentive program for employers called the “Stay at Work Program”. L&I describes it as a win-win for injured workers and employers. Under this program, employers can offer injured worker…
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