A workplace injury or occupational illness can be physically painful, emotionally overwhelming, and financially draining. If you were hurt on the job in the state of Washington, Workers’ Compensation benefits are available to help ensure you can make ends meet while you are unable to work.

Who Can Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Washington?

Generally, any worker (unless they meet the criteria for excluded employment) can obtain Workers’ Compensation for an on-the-job injury that occurred during the course of their employment. Unlike a personal injury claim, negligence does not need to be proven to secure Workers’ Compensation benefits in Washington. In addition to covering workplace injuries, Labor & Industries (L&I) also provides compensation to employees who have suffered occupational diseases or exposures which necessitate medical treatment.

What Benefits Can an Injured Worker Receive from Workers’ Comp?

Workers’ Compensation in Washington includes a variety of benefits beyond monetary compensation. Depending on the facts and circumstances of your specific case, Workers’ Comp might not only cover medical costs, but it can also provide for retraining in the event your injury restricts you from returning to your previous job duties. Specifically, Workers’ Compensation benefits in Washington can include the following:

• Medical care — Workers’ Comp will provide reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury, without copays and deductibles.
• Lost wages — If you cannot work due to your injury, L&I will pay out time loss compensation in the amount of 60-75% of the wage you had been earning at the time of injury, based on the number of dependents you have and your marital status.
• Vocational rehabilitation — In some cases, Washington Workers’ Comp will provide vocational rehabilitation services or retraining if such benefits are needed to help you return to gainful employment.
• Loss of earning power benefits — If you are brought back to work part-time or at a lower rate of pay, L&I may compensate you for your loss of earning power.
• Permanent Partial Disability — This award compensates an injured worker for loss of function of a specific body part. A doctor will need to provide a percentage rating of disability.
• Pension benefits — If you are unable to ever work again due to the severity of the injury, you may be eligible to receive lifetime pension benefits.

Can You Pursue a Personal Injury Action if You Receive Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Workers’ Compensation benefits can provide a broad range of financial relief to workers who sustained injuries on the job — regardless of whether someone else’s carelessness or recklessness caused them. If a party other than your employer is to blame for a workplace accident, you may be able to file a personal injury action to hold them accountable for their negligence. Significantly, you can file a lawsuit against a liable third-party, even if you had obtained L&I benefits.

By pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be eligible to recover any medical expenses and lost wages that were not reimbursed through Workers’ Comp. You might also be awarded monetary recovery for your non-economic damages, including the physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life you experienced in connection with your workplace accident-related injuries.

Contact an Experienced Washington Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you sustained an injury in the workplace or developed an occupational disease, filing for Workers’ Compensation benefits will help you recover some of your monetary losses. It is vital to have the representation of a knowledgeable attorney who can guide you through the process and protect your rights. The Bellingham Workers’ Compensation attorneys at Robinson & Kole provide dedicated counsel to injured workers throughout Washington State and work diligently to obtain the best possible results in every case. We welcome you to contact us for a free consultation by calling 800.640.5616 or by using our online contact form. Se habla Español.