Seattle Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

The workers’ compensation system in Washington state was designed and implemented to protect injured workers and give them the security of knowing they would receive medical care and wage replacement benefits when injured on the job. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen this way.

You may have to fight for proper medical treatment. You may be told that you need to return to work when you really cannot. Because of the way the system has evolved, injured employees sometimes feel that no one cares. 

Our Seattle workers’ compensation attorney knows the details of Washington workers’ comp laws and will use that knowledge to ensure that you are treated fairly and get the benefits to which you are entitled. To learn how we can help you, call us at 1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378) for a free consultation.

Why Choose Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

Elk & Elk is a Seattle personal injury law firm whose primary goal is one thing: securing the most amount of compensation for your claims.

• Proven track record. Our firm has successfully won numerous multi-million dollar lawsuits, adding up to a grand total of over $1 billion in combined compensation.
• Deep knowledge and expertise. With Elk & Elk by your side, you can be confident that we will be able to handle even the most complex cases due to our attorneys’ knowledge and experience in Washington state law.
• Clear, open communication. We handle all of the legal paperwork while maintaining clear and open communication, providing you an environment in which you are comfortable and confident in your legal team.
• Over five decades of experience. Elk & Elk has 50 years of experience protecting the victims and families of injuries sustained in a number of ways.

Choosing Elk & Elk to represent you is the clear choice. We strive for success and are willing to go as far as we need to to win you the workers’ compensation you and your family deserve.

How Workers’ Compensation Law Generally Works in Washington

The system is funded by premiums paid by both employers and employees (employees contribute through payroll deduction). Most workplaces in Seattle are covered by the system, with the exception of sole proprietorships without employees.

These types of operations can purchase insurance to cover the owner if he or she is injured. Additionally, some employers are self-insured. They have to follow all the rules established by the state’s labor and industry department, but they fund their insurance differently and handle employees’ claims directly. 

Common Types of Workers’ Compensation Injuries

There are many different kinds of injuries that can be sustained while on-the-job. These injuries can range in severity, and may even include death. While different types of jobs may be more susceptible to severe injuries, it is worth noting that not all cases involving workers’ compensation are necessarily severe or life threatening.

• Heatstrokes or overexertion. Working in hot conditions can be a common source of workplace injury. These types of injury can often lead to dehydration or other heat-related issues. Unfortunately, some signs of heat strokes and overexertion can even be delayed until a later time and can even result in death.
• Collapses of buildings or other infrastructure. Most common in the case of construction workers, sometimes buildings or other suspended objects can fall from high areas resulting in serious injury for unsuspecting workers below.
• Injuries related to equipment. Equipment injuries involving machinery and vehicles are not uncommon. Factories and warehouses are the most common sources of these types of accidents because employees are required to work in the presence of large machines that have the potential to inflict serious damage.
• Mental or psychological strains. An often overlooked area of workers’ compensation, many different jobs require mental stress that can go unaccounted for as it is not an outwardly obvious injury. Psychological injuries can last a lifetime for some people.
• Respiratory diseases. Miners, homebuilders, and even office workers may suffer from respiratory diseases. From asbestos to mildew, untreated exposure to harmful chemicals can spell disaster for someone’s well-being and quality of life.
• Slips and falls. Many different types of Seattle workers experience falls throughout their work lives. Slips and falls can be caused by anything from a wet floor to a malfunctioning harness provided by someone’s place of work.
• Explosions or fire-related injuries. Less common but incredibly severe, explosions and injuries involving fire can cripple or even kill workers. Unsafe working conditions such as improperly stored chemicals or gas leaks are some common offenders for this type of work injury.
• Automobile accidents. While working, some people are required to travel from place to place. Driving between multiple locations in cars, buses, trucks, or other types of equipment can result in disaster if a collision occurs with another vehicle.
• Loss of sight or hearing. A common threat to quality of life, some people experience the consequences of work conditions that over-stimulate the senses. Sometimes, people simply trying to provide income for their families have no choice but to work in areas that are harmful to their eyesight or ability to hear.

Potential Benefits Available Under Washington Workers’ Comp

Workers’ compensation provides the following benefits for workers injured on the job — regardless of who was at fault:

• Medical benefits: this includes doctor and other provider visits (you must use an in-network health care provider after the first visit to be covered).
• Drug coverage: provided only for those medications related to your injury that are on the approved state list.
• Wage replacement benefits: the wage replacement is between 60 and 75 percent of what you earned while working. This is called time-loss compensation. Note that this does not cover the first three days of missed work. A doctor must certify that you are unable to work.
• Personal property replacement: this covers glasses and contact lenses, clothing, shoes and boots, and personal protective equipment, such as a hard hat, vest or other items that are not your employer’s property.
• Travel costs: costs to see a health care provider may be reimbursed under certain circumstances.
• Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits: this may be awarded if your accident resulted in a permanent impairment. You can still work while receiving PPD benefits — the award is based on the level of impairment as certified by a doctor and agreed to by workers’ compensation. These compensation benefits will be paid even if you are able to return to work.
• Monthly pensions: may be available to those who become blind, lose the use of (or lose altogether) both legs, both arms, or an arm and a leg. If the state finds that your work injury prevents you from ever working again in any capacity, you may receive a full disability pension.

Other benefits may apply in certain situations. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Seattle can advise you on such situations. One thing injured workers should know: There is no compensation available from workers’ comp for pain and suffering resulting from a workplace accident. Also, there is no provision for employees whose injury was caused by negligence or recklessness on the part of the employer.

Common Reasons for Workers’ Compensation Denial

There are numerous reasons why someone may be denied workers’ compensation. Should we take on your case, your Seattle workers’ compensation attorney at Elk & Elk will work tirelessly to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Nevertheless, it is important to understand potential shortcomings in your case.

• You failed to notify your place of work of your injury within the mandated amount of time.
• You were not medically treated for your injuries.
• You were partaking in play such as roughhousing or horseplay when you sustained your injuries.
• You were under the influence of a substance during the work injury.
• Your injury was the result of a preexisting condition.
• You did not have a workers’ compensation attorney.

These are just some of the many ways your employer or an insurance company may try to dispute your case. It is important that you follow all the necessary steps when sustaining an injury while on-the-job to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. Your lawyer’s sole priority will be securing maximum compensation for you while battling against claims made by the other party.

Is It Possible to File a Lawsuit Against a Third Party?

At Elk & Elk, we have seen that many Seattle workers do not know that under certain circumstances, they can file a lawsuit if their injuries were caused by a third party — someone or a company other than the employer. In addition to helping injured clients obtain full and fair workers’ compensation benefits, our law firm can help them file a lawsuit against the negligent third party to obtain additional compensation. Examples of this type of claim include Seattle workers who were injured while driving for the employer by another driver who was not an employee, a worker who was injured because of a defective tool or other product, or a worker injured at a worksite not owned by the employer, such as a construction site.

Contact Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation Attorney Now

If you were injured while working, you owe it to yourself to learn about the workers’ compensation system and your rights and options. Reach out to one of our workers’ compensation attorneys at Elk & Elk law firm by calling 1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378) or contacting us online for a free initial consultation.