Being injured on the job can be painful, frightening, and even life-changing. Washington’s workers’ compensation program, managed by the Department of Labor & Industries, is supposed to help pay for your medical treatments, lost wages, and other benefits, so you can focus on recovery. But sometimes those claims get denied. Knowing what to do if your L&I claim is denied is essential to preserving your claim and receiving the benefits you need to keep you and your family safe while you heal.

Common Causes for a Denied L&I Claim

In 2025, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) resolved nearly 2,000 claims for workers’ compensation, but an additional 98,600 new state L&I claims were filed. An additional 40,000 claims were managed through self-insured employers. But not all of these claims were granted. Every year, many injured Washington employees find their L&I claims denied, even when they are legitimately hurt and unable to work. This may be because:

L&I Determines the Accident Did Not Happen

Sometimes your employer, coworkers, or other witnesses may provide information to L&I that suggests the accident did not really happen. If your L&I claim manager cannot understand the description of the incident in your Report of Accident, they may investigate what happened. If it believes there is credible evidence that the accident did not happen, it may deny your claim.

Your Injury Wasn’t Work Related

L&I benefits are only available to employees whose injuries arise out of the course of employment. That means accidents that happen on the job, or occupational diseases that develop as a result of the conditions of employment. Other accidents, including injuries that happen during a lunch break (with some exceptions), generally aren’t covered. Filing an Accident Report for a non-work-related injury will result in a denied L&I claim. There are also exceptions for coverage related to intoxication, horseplay, or misconduct, which can cause your claim to be denied. When it comes to occupational diseases, your claim may be denied if there is not a sufficient connection between your injury and a specific work activity, or because it is a pre-existing condition not directly related to your work.

Missing the Claim Filing Deadline

You only have 1 year after the accident, or two years after receiving an occupational disease diagnosis to file your L&I claim. This is a hard limit. If you or your doctor waits too long to file your claim, it may be denied regardless of the severity of your injury or direct connection to your job.

L&I Claim Paperwork Was Not Complete

One of the most common reasons L&I claims get denied is missing paperwork. The L&I Application for Benefits must be filled out completely. In addition, medical providers must submit detailed information about the injury or condition. If any of your documentation is missing or inaccurate, it could result in your claim being denied. It is up to you to provide evidence to connect your injury or illness to your work. If you fail to provide medical records, accident reports, witness statements, or other evidence to connect the dots, your claim could be denied.

Your Doctor Wasn’t an Approved L&I Provider

Except in the case of emergency treatment, injured workers are required to receive care from approved medical providers that are part of the L&I’s network. These doctors and hospitals know how to document and report L&I claims. The requirement is also designed to ensure you are receiving appropriate treatment and costs. If you go to a doctor outside the L&I network, your claim to pay their expenses may be denied.

What to Do if Your L&I Claim is Denied

Just because your claim is denied, does not mean you have reached a dead end. If your L&I claim is denied, you have a right to protest or appeal the decision, but you will have to work quickly.

Protest Your L&I Claim Denial

To protest an L&I claim denial, you need to send a letter of protest to the Claim and Account Center at the Department of Labor & Industries within 60 days of the decision. Your protest letter must include:

• Your name and L&I claim number (on each page)
• Your claim manager’s name
• The nature or type of L&I decision
• The date the L&I Decision was issued
• The reason you disagree with the decision

Once a timely protest letter is received, L&I will readjudicate your claim denial and issue a decision that either affirms, reverses, or modifies the decision.

The time it takes to readjudicate your claim can vary greatly depending on whether you are working directly with L&I or a self-insured employer. According to the Department of Labor & Industries’ 2025 Annual Report, self-insured claims took an average of 66 days to be re-adjudicated, compared to just six days for state fund claims.

File an L&I Claim Appeal

You can also file an L&I claim appeal directly to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA), either after the initial denial or following readjudication. L&I claim appeals need to be filed within 60 days of the decision. The next blog post will discuss the L&I Appeal process in more detail.

Get Help Responding to a Denied L&I Claim

Getting relief after an L&I claim is denied depends on your ability to act quickly to connect with an L&I Workers Compensation attorney who can help you preserve your claim and get your benefits paid. At Reck Law, PLLC, we know it can be frustrating when your L&I claim is denied. We are here to help you protest the denial, file an appeal, and prove your case to get you the benefits you are entitled to. To learn more about our unique approach to workers’ compensation claims in Washington State, contact Reck Law to schedule a free consultation.