Worker’s Compensation During Terminal Illness

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If your healthcare provider has diagnosed you with a terminal disease or condition related to your employment and you have an open and allowed claim, you may be eligible for certain benefits. If your condition is not approved for treatment and you believe the condition is a result of your injury or occupational disease, your physician must provide documentation that establishes that relationship. You can receive end-of-life benefits if your diagnosis is accepted as part of your claim. L&I benefits for workers who are terminally ill include:

  • Standard medical care and treatment
  • Travel reimbursement
  • Psychiatric care
  • End-of-life care or hospice
  • Survivor benefits
  • Burial benefits

Survivor Benefits

If you are the surviving spouse of someone who dies from a work-related injury or occupational disease, you and your spouse’s children are eligible to receive a monthly pension. The amount of the pension is calculated using the same formula for establishing time-loss compensation payments; 60-75% of the worker’s total wages and certain benefits while taking into account the number of dependents.

Survivors will also receive an immediate cash payment amounting to 100% of the state’s average monthly wage. This calculation is made by the Department of Employment and Security and is adjusted annually. Also, L&I will pay burial or cremation expenses of up to 200% of the state’s average monthly wage.

Pension payments are made monthly for the worker’s children at the time of injury, and continue until the children are 18 or 23 if they are full-time students at an accredited school. If a dependent child is an invalid, monthly pension payments are made until he or she is no longer dependent. In cases where there is no spouse or dependent children, certain relatives may be eligible for survivor benefits if they can prove financial dependency on the worker.

In the event a surviving spouse remarries, his or her benefits do not continue. Instead, he or she may elect to receive a lump sum settlement, or in lieu of the settlement, may keep the right to receive monthly pension payments again if the marriage ends because of death or divorce.

Contact Us

The end of our lives is difficult to think about and plan for. If your doctor has diagnosed you with a terminal disease or condition related to your employment, we understand that this is a challenging time. Call us today and let our experienced and compassionate Seattle Workman’s Compensation Attorneys take some of the burden off of you by guiding you through the complex process of filing your L&I claim.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call the Phillips Law Firm at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Permanent Partial Disabilities and Workers’ Compensation in Washington

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Permanent partial disability claims are one of the most common types of worker’s compensation cases, accounting for over half of all worker’s comp claims nationwide. These types of disabilities can be caused by an injury or an occupational disease, causing some degree of permanent impairment or loss of bodily function that makes a worker unable to perform at their full capacity.

Permanent Partial Disabilities

There are wide ranges of medical conditions that constitute a permanent partial disability. By far, back injuries are the most common; however, there are many other injuries and illnesses that fall into this category. Some common examples include:

  • Amputation of a body part such as finger or hand
  • Hearing loss
  • Vision loss in one eye
  • Knee injury
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Nerve damage
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

The amount of compensation you receive for any physical loss is determined by the Legislature and does not include compensation for pain and suffering. There are two categories of permanent partial disabilities:

  1. Specified disabilities are those which have awards already set by law. Each type of loss is quantified, such as loss of hearing or loss of an eye, leg, toe, arm, or finger, and your award is based on that loss.
  2. Unspecified disabilities include the partial loss of function to a limb and every other type of impairment caused by an on-the-job injury or occupational illness.

Any permanent partial disability award you receive is based not on whether you can work, but rather on the degree of damage you suffered. Therefore, you will not jeopardize your permanent partial disability award by working, so you should return to work when your healthcare provider releases you to do so.

Rating Unspecified Disabilities

Disability ratings determine the degree of a partial loss of function, and are conducted by the attending physician or one or more independent medical examiners utilizing predetermined medical standards and guidelines. Ratings are typically performed after all services have been completed and no further treatment is relevant.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

At the Phillips Law Firm, we understand that the ordeal of injury or illness has been challenging for you and your family. Navigating the disabilities claims process can be complex and time consuming, and having an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation lawyer to guide you can make all the difference. Contact us today to discuss your case. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.

Call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Getting Back to Work: Transitional Work and Worker’s Compensation

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Getting back to your original job and wages after an injury or illness is harder to do the longer you are off of work. While returning to work may preserve your earning power, returning too soon after an injury can complicate your recovery and your health. If possible, you may be able to return to work doing transitional work while you completely recover from your injury.

Getting Back to Work

A new L&I program reimburses eligible employers for providing a light-duty or transitional job. By working closely with your doctor and employer, you can get back to work as quickly as possible.

  • Keep in touch with your employer and ask if they know about the Stay at Work program
  • Ask your employer about options for getting back to work, such as light-duty or a transitional job, or workplace modifications
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about jobs you can do safely

Even though returning to work in a light-duty or transitional job will not affect the status of your claim, your time-loss benefits could be affected if your employer offers you light-duty or transitional work.

Vocational Services

In some cases, the severity of an injury may make it difficult to return to work. If so, your claim manager may assign a vocational counselor to work with you, your employer and your doctor to evaluate your return-to-work options by asking:

  • Can your regular job be temporarily modified? By including part-time or light-duty work, the physical demands of a job can sometimes be temporarily changed to accommodate physical restrictions.
  • Can your regular job be permanently modified? Sometimes, it is possible for employers to permanently alter the physical demands of a job to customize it to certain physical restrictions.
  • Can you return to a new job with your employer? Sometimes, a different job is available with your employer that accommodates your physical restrictions.

Some workers have injuries that prevent them from ever returning to work with their employer, but they may have skills to enter another line of work. In this case, a vocational counselor can help you assess your employability, and design a training program for L&I’s approval, by matching your skillset, limitations and abilities to job opportunities in your area.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

We understand that getting better and returning to work are important to you. However, sometimes the technicalities of L&I’s vocational services can be confusing. Don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys with any questions you may have.

If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Are You in a Dangerous Job?

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While no job is without risk, there are some jobs that are simply more dangerous than others. These professions may not be the most deadly, but they lead to the most injuries each year—and some of the most worker’s compensation claims. According to the Department of Labor, there are more than 3 million non-fatal workplace injuries each year in the United States. These injuries occur in a variety of sectors, but the following professions endure some increased risk.

  • Health Care Professionals—from hospitals to clinics, health care workers are exposed to risk every day in their jobs. Exposure to illnesses, toxic chemicals, hazardous waste, and workplace violence highlights the list of ways healthcare workers can be injured. In addition, heavy lifting and long-hours contribute to a variety of back and muscle strains and sprains. Nursing home workers have an average illness and injury rate of 8.3%, while hospital workers experience a 7% injury rate.
  • Transportation Workers—Whether you drive a bus or a train or fly a plane, transportation workers experience significant risk on the job. In the trucking industry alone, there are nearly a half million accidents every year. Yet employees working in air transportation face even greater risk of injury—at a rate of 8.1%.
  • Manufacturing Employees—heavy machinery and sharp equipment make manufacturing jobs inherently dangerous. In particular, those who were employed in the beverage and tobacco manufacturing trades faced the greatest risk of injury with a 6.4% injury rate. These injuries can be significant and require long-term disability benefits.
  • Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting—Animal production workers experience a 5.2% injury rate in their jobs, which makes their job at a higher risk for injury than loggers and even fisherman. Yet loggers and fisherman are in the most deadly professions. When an accident occurs in a logging company, they are more severe and usually result in death.
  • Entertainers—Few people would consider this an injury related field, but the entertainment industry incorporates sports players and performing artists. These artists and athletes are at an increased risk for muscle strains, sprains, ligament tears, broken bones, and head injuries.

No matter what your job is, if you are injured while on the job, then you have a right to receive worker’s compensation to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Yet even when you are clearly injured on the job, workers often experience difficulties obtaining this compensation. When this occurs, an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation lawyer may be needed to fight for your employee rights.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured on the job and have questions regarding your worker’s compensation, an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Third Party Claims and Worker’s Compensation in Washington

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If you have been injured on the job, you are generally not allowed to sue your employer or other co-workers. You are allowed, however, to be compensated through the worker’s compensation system for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages you have incurred. If someone other than your employer or co-workers caused your workplace accident, you are then allowed to file a third party injury claim against that person.

Washington’s worker’s compensation laws can be difficult to understand and navigate through. As such, an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation lawyer can help you understand all of your benefits and determine if you are eligible to file a third party injury claim.

Examples of Third Party Injury Accidents

There are many ways you can be injured by a negligent third party while on the job, but the most common ones include:

  • Dog bite or animal attack
  • Slip and fall due to property owner’s negligence in a building where you were working
  • Defective product, tool, or device that injured you on the job
  • Car accident while working on the job
  • Construction site accidents by other contractors on the job
  • Toxic exposure
  • Sexual assault while on the job
  • Injuries while working on a different job site
  • And more

The benefits to filing a third party injury claim are numerous. Unlike worker’s compensation, there are no limits put on the amount of damages you may seek. While worker’s compensation may fail to meet all of your medical needs, a third party injury claim can ensure that you have enough money to meet all of your expenses and fully recover.

The Department of Labor & Industries, a third party administrator, or a self-insured employer may have given you paperwork to fill out after your injury. This paperwork may have included options about filing a lawsuit against a third party. If you do not complete this paperwork in a timely manner, you could lose your ability to file a third party claim. Before filing out any paperwork, discuss your accident with a lawyer. Your attorney can make certain that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled and ensure that you do not miss any critical deadlines for filing third party injury claims.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured on the job and have questions regarding your worker’s compensation, an experienced worker’s compensation attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

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Will L&I Pay My Medical Bills?

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If you are employed in Washington, you are entitled to no-fault accident and disability coverage. This can either be through L&I‘s Washington State Fund or a self-insured employer’s policy. This is known as worker’s compensation and it is available for all employees. Understanding your benefits is a crucial to receiving the money you need to recover after a work-related injury.

L&I will only cover an injury if it happens at a definite time and place at work. Occupational diseases are only accepted if you can show that your disease was caused by work and work alone. Every year, 100,000 work-related injuries and occupational diseases are reported to L&I, and an additional 47,500 are reported to self-insured companies.

If you are covered under L&I’s Washington State Fund, then L&I will compensate your health care provider and there will be no out-of-pocket expenses to you for covered treatment. L&I will pay for hospital expenses, surgeries, pharmaceutical costs, and other services, including nursing home care, glasses, hearing aids, crutches, prostheses, and dental repair.

It is important to note that L&I will only pay for your medical expenses IF they accept your claim. Not all L&I claims are accepted. Yet like most insurance programs, they can deny claims that are valid. At Phillips Law Firm, our workers’ compensation lawyers work diligently to ensure that your claim is accepted. If necessary, we can have independent medical examinations conducted to establish the severity of the injury sustained.

The procedures for navigating through the Workers’ Compensation System in Washington can be overwhelming—especially when you are injured. As a result, many injured workers fail to receive the compensation they are entitled to.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured on the job and have questions regarding your worker’s compensation, an experienced Seattle workers’ compensation attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Understanding Workers’ Compensation in Construction Jobs

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Construction sites are dangerous places. Large machinery, dangerous power tools, hazardous chemicals, and excessive physical activity can all lead to construction job injuries. Even though safety measures are in place to prevent these accidents from occurring, they still occur at a rapid pace and make for some of the most dangerous jobs in America.

If you are injured on the job, it is important to know that your injuries are covered by worker’s compensation. Through the worker’s compensation program, you are able to collect money for medical expenses, therapies, counseling, lost wages, disability, and more. If your injury leads to a permanent injury or disability, you may be able to collect permanent disability benefits either partial or total.

Even though Washington’s worker’s compensation system is good, it is important to review your case with an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation lawyer. Immediately after your accident, it may be necessary to establish who is to blame for your injuries. On construction sites, there are often multiple contractors and construction crews on site, and as such, there may be a third party responsible for your injuries. If so, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against that third party to recover damages.

Common Construction Site Accidents:

On a construction site, your employer is responsible for maintaining a level of safety and complying by OSHA regulations. Yet even when safety standards and protocols are in place, construction accidents still occur, including:

  • Falls from scaffolds or ladders
  • Tripping on construction debris
  • Injuries caused by heavy lifting
  • Heavy machinery accidents
  • Road work zone accidents
  • Defective machinery or construction equipment
  • Electrocution
  • Burns
  • Hazardous chemical exposure
  • Amputations due to machine or saw accidents
  • Co-worker negligence
  • And more

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured on the job or have questions regarding your worker’s compensation, an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation lawyers are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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5 Things You Should Know About Seattle Worker’s Compensation

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Glenn PhillipsThe State of Washington has one of the best worker’s compensation systems in the country. Yet for thousands of workers who are injured, the system can be complicated, difficult to navigate, and full of obstacles. Understanding worker’s compensation before you need it is one of the keys to getting the most from your benefits when you are injured. An experienced Seattle worker’s compensation lawyer can help you throughout your injury to ensure that you are receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled.

#1: Worker’s compensation is for BOTH you and your employer’s protection: The worker’s compensation system is intended to protect both employees and their employers. These insurance policies keep businesses from getting tangled in costly litigation every time an employee is injured; yet they offer employees a guaranteed process for obtaining financial help.

#2: There are loopholes: Insurance companies will try to avoid paying even the most legitimate worker’s compensation claim. As such, they will look for loopholes that will give them the ability to deny your claim. Being fully informed of your company’s policy will help you avoid those pitfalls and your insurance company’s tactics.

#3: Worker’s compensation covers more than just medical bills: Many injured workers believe that worker’s compensation will just cover their medical expenses. Yet this is not true. Worker’s compensation covers lost wages, therapy, counseling, and disability payments. It can also assist surviving dependents if their loved one is killed on the job.

#4: You may be able to file a lawsuit: While filing a lawsuit against your employer is generally not an option if you receive worker’s compensation, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a third-party. If your injury was caused by a negligent driver or a defective product, for example, you may be able to file a third party claim against the negligent third party.

#5: A worker’s compensation attorney is often necessary: While you may be able to collect worker’s compensation without an attorney, it is always best to review your case with one. At Phillips Law Firm, we offer a free consultation and review of your case. We can often help you avoid the pitfalls associated with worker’s compensation and ensure that you receive all of the benefits to which you are entitled. In addition, if you should face any difficulties in collecting your claim, our attorneys will be ready to fight for you.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured on the job and have questions regarding your worker’s compensation, an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Older Washington Workers May Recover Slower

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Elderly Man WorkingCDC researchers have discovered that the older an employee is when he or she is injured, the longer the recovery process will take. Those workers over the age of 55 required between 11 and 12 days of recovery after a workplace injury. Their younger counterparts only required an average of 6-9. Although older workers generally get injured less, the length of absence from work increases as age increases.

In 2009, 19% of the workforce was comprised of older workers over the age of 55, and that number is growing as baby boomers continue to age. The majority of the injuries that older workers suffer, however, are acute traumatic injuries (up to 94%). These injuries were usually falls, fractures, and hip injuries.

The research seems to support the notion that as the body ages, recovery time is slowed. Older bodies don’t simply bounce back the way they did when they were in their twenties. As such, more time is needed for recovery and rehabilitation.

Sadly, many of the injuries that older workers endure have the ability to sideline them for the long haul. Many older workers are simply unable to return following a hip fracture or herniated disc. This can force them into retirement earlier than they want—and need. The result is an injured worker who needs worker’s compensation for a much longer time period than their employer may like.

If you have been injured on the job, you may be eligible to file for worker’s compensation. You should contact an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation lawyer immediately to review your rights as an employee and ensure that you are not mistreated while you are injured. Many older employees find their positions gone after an injury, or they may suddenly be terminated without warning. This is not acceptable, and should be fought.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured on the job and have questions regarding your worker’s compensation, an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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Temporary Workers Face More Dangers on the Job

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Dangerous MachinerySince 2008 when the recession hit, more companies in Washington have turned to hiring temporary employees, as a way of filling their employment needs without making commitments. This trend has made an impact on the job market and the temporary employment industry employs 2.8 million workers. Yet there is a human price to be paid for temporary employment it seems; temporary employees carry a greater risk of being injured on the job.

The reasons may be behind lack of proper training. OSHA files revealed situations where untrained laborers were put in situations where they were injured. Especially in blue-collar temporary work, untrained and unskilled laborers are routinely asked to perform dangerous jobs operating machinery, handling hazardous chemicals, or performing in hostile environments. When they are injured, the temporary employment agency and the company performing the works often quarrel about who is responsible.

Unfortunately, many companies routinely put profits before the safety of their workers and treat temporary workers as “expendable”. Temps are usually working on machines or completing tasks that they have not been properly trained to perform. As such, many temporary workers are injured in the first three months they are hired.

Temporary workers are at risk for electrocution, amputation, lacerations, fractures, severe head and neck injuries and more. The more physical the work is, the higher the injury rate is. A 2010 study of Washington State’s worker’s compensation claims found that temp workers in both construction and manufacturing trades had twice the claims of regular workers. When a temporary worker is injured, the temp agency is supposed to pay the worker’s compensation, but often they delay paying claims while temporary workers suffer.

Contact Seattle Worker’s Compensation Attorneys

If you have been injured on the job and have questions regarding your worker’s compensation, an experienced Seattle worker’s compensation attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle worker’s compensation attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The workers’ compensation lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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