Injured on the job? Your L&I claim may not be the only path to recovery.
Most Washington workers hurt on the job are covered by the state workers' compensation system run by the Department of Labor & Industries. L&I pays for medical treatment and part of your lost wages, and it applies no matter who caused the accident. For many people, that system works. For others, claims get delayed, treatment gets denied, or the benefits simply do not reflect what the injury has taken.
Bexley & Thorne helps injured workers in Tacoma and throughout the South Sound understand every option that is open to them. That includes protecting the L&I claim and, just as importantly, looking for anyone outside your employer whose carelessness played a part.
On a busy construction site, for example, the general contractor, several subcontractors, an equipment rental company and a property owner may all share responsibility for safety. Each one carries its own insurance. Sorting out who controlled the hazard that hurt you is often the difference between a claim that covers your real losses and one that does not.
Two claims, two different rules
Knowing the difference between these claims is the first step. Many of our clients have both.
Covers medical care and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault. In most cases you cannot sue your own employer, and claims generally need to be filed within one year of the injury.
If a contractor, property owner, driver or equipment maker contributed to your injury, you may be able to sue them for losses L&I does not cover, including pain and suffering.
When both claims exist, L&I may be repaid from a third-party recovery. We negotiate that repayment so more of the recovery stays with you.
Injuries we see on job sites
Construction, warehousing, health care and transportation account for many of the calls we receive. These are some of the most common injuries.
- Falls from ladders and scaffolds
- Forklift and loading dock accidents
- Defective tools and machinery
- Vehicle crashes while working
- Burns and electrical injuries
- Back and shoulder injuries from lifting
- Crush injuries
- Occupational illness
Questions people ask us
General answers for a demo site. Your circumstances may change the answer, so please ask us about your own situation.
