Key Takeaways:

• If you suffer injuries or a work-related disease, you have the right to receive treatment in Washington.
• You have 60 days to request reconsideration or appeal a denied workers’ compensation claim.
• Under some circumstances, you can reopen your workers’ comp claim.
• L&I provides several benefits, including wage replacement.

Suffering an injury on the job is a distressing experience that is often compounded by the confusion and anxiety that come with understanding Washington workers’ compensation. The financial strain of medical expenses and the uncertainty of future employment only add to the emotional burden. This isn’t just a minor setback – it’s a significant crisis impacting your health, family, and future.

In these challenging times, having a knowledgeable ally is crucial. A Moses Lake workers’ compensation lawyer at McPartland Law Offices can help guide you through this process. Don’t let the complexities of workers’ compensation add to your stress. Contact us for a free consultation today, and let us help you navigate your workers’ comp case with confidence and peace of mind.

The Rights of Injured Workers in Moses Lake

Workers suffering from a work-related injury have several rights, including:

• The right to receive curative treatment for their injuries. The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is responsible for covering this treatment.
• Wage replacement benefits, which cover 60 to 73 percent of their pre-injury wages and benefits.
• Loss of earning capacity, which is paid at approximately 80 percent of the gap between their pre-injury and post-injury wages if they can only work part-time.
• The right to reopen their claim for all benefits for up to 7 years after the claim is closed and the right to reopen their claim for medical benefits for life.
• The right to appeal decisions made by the Department of Labor and Industries. Workers have a 60-day window to file an appeal.

A Moses Lake workers’ comp lawyer can help navigate the workers’ compensation claim process and help workers maintain their rights.

How Do I Start a Workers’ Comp Claim in Moses Lake?

Washington has two methods of reporting a workers’ compensation claim. If your employer is not self-insured, you would start a claim with the Department of Labor & Industries, which is the primary form of workers’ compensation.

If your employer is self-insured, you file the claim with your employer. However, the Department of Labor & Industries oversees both types of claims.

To file a claim with the Department of Labor & Industries:

• Notify L&I that you have had an accident or suffered a work-related illness. For State Fund cases, you will use a Report of Accident form and for Self-Insured Cases, you will use an SIF-2 form. You will need to provide some basic information about your injury, such as when you sustained the injury and what you believe the injuries are. You can notify L&I using their online reporting tool or report the issue to your doctor.
• Choose a provider from the L&I network of providers if you need more than one doctor’s visit. In many cases, people go to a walk-in clinic or to their regular doctor for initial medical treatment – it’s only if you need additional treatment that you need to choose an in-network provider. You can use this tool to identify a physician of your choosing (you do not have to see someone your employer or even the clinic/hospital tells you you have to see).
• L&I will most likely send you to an independent medical exam (IME). The exam is rarely fair, as it is conducted by a medical professional approved and paid for by L&I. In many cases, the doctor is a retired doctor who does only L&I exams for his or her income. You are required to attend an IME, but it is in your best interest to schedule a free consultation with our team for guidance on handling IME requests, as you have some rights when attending the appointment.
• If your claim is approved, you will receive a written order from L&I to explain your benefits.
• If your claim is denied, you can request reconsideration (appeal) of the decision. You must file an appeal within 60 days of the date the decision was received, so it is imperative that you contact a Moses Lake workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as you receive a denial letter. If the order is not appealed correctly, it can become final and binding, even if it is wrong.

How Can a Moses Lake Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help Me?

Never trust any government agency or insurance company to manage your claim. Some injuries take weeks or even months to show up. For example, a workers’ compensation attorney knows that if you fall on your shoulder, there’s a good chance of having a neck injury show up. Likewise, foot and ankle problems may become knee, hip or even back problems.

If you file a claim yourself, you might only mention what you’re currently diagnosed with – the shoulder injury. It can be very difficult to get L&I to accept additional claims later and litigation may be required.

A Moses Lake personal injury law firm with experience with workers’ compensation claims in Washington state can help you list all possible injuries – not what is currently hurting and being treated.

Additional benefits of working with a personal injury lawyer experienced in workers’ compensation claims include:

• Helping you receive all of the benefits you are entitled to, such as housing and lost wages
• Providing a free, no-risk case evaluation of the worker’s case
• Navigating the appeals process
• Coordinating care for out-of-state workers

Why Injured Workers Choose McPartland Law Offices

McPartland Law Offices provides guidance on navigating workers’ compensation claims, which can often be complex, especially when you have severe injuries or hurt yourself in such a way that other injuries may manifest days, weeks, or months later.

We provide a two-week audit of your file at no cost to you. We thoroughly review your file and provide you with an assessment of whether we can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case. If everything looks good, you may be well-positioned to proceed on your own, and you will have no obligation to hire our firm.

Testimonials

“Bryce McPartland and MLO are truly exceptional. I’ve known Bryce from our days growing up in Warden, WA. Bryce exemplifies all that’s good having come from that background: hard work, respect, commitment, honesty and integrity. As an attorney myself, I can confidently say that you will not find a better attorney, counselor, and advocate than Bryce.” – Jon S.

“Bryce and his team were great to work with. Explaining along the way how the process works and constantly preaching patience. They worked hard to finalize our case and in the end we were rewarded with a deserved outcome.” – Daniel T.

“My family and I had the opportunity to work with Bryce and his team during a very difficult time in our lives. The service and representation that McPartland Law Offices provided was absolutely exceptional. I was thoroughly impressed by their professionalism, knowledge, and ability to help us understand everything throughout the entire process. To say they left no stone unturned would be an understatement. I will be forever grateful for the compassion and dedication consistently demonstrated by Bryce and his team. I highly recommend McPartland Law Offices.” – Claudia V.

Additional Resources

• How to Reopen Your Washington Workers’ Comp Case: Reopening a case can be challenging because of the rules associated with it. If you have new injuries, contact a workplace accident lawyer to help you reopen your case.
• Are Your Wage Replacement / Time Loss Benefits Accurate?:Claims managers or adjudicators often miss many of the factors used to determine wage replacement amounts. A Moses Lake workers’ compensation lawyer can provide legal advice on obtaining the proper amount owed.

Let Us Advocate for Your Workplace Rights

Workers’ compensation cases are personal injury cases, but not all personal injury attorneys handle all practice areas. A dedicated workers’ compensation attorney has experience and knowledge of Washington’s workers’ compensation laws and related legal issues and can help you with an initial claim or an appeal.

Contact McPartland Law Offices for a free consultation at 509-495-1247. We are located at 2830 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake, WA 98837.