Workers Compensation in Everett, WA
You aren’t alone if you wonder how workers’ compensation works.
Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides wage and medical benefits to people who have become ill or injured while at work. How far this coverage goes depends on Washington state law.
If your injury or illness is eligible for compensation, the insurance carrier should help ease the financial burden.
Learn some of the basic principles of Washington workers’ compensation insurance and how the process works.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Everett, Washington?
The Western Information Office of the U.S. Department of Labor collected reports of 88,000 work injuries in Washington for 2019. Additionally, employees in private industries suffered illness or injury at a rate of 3.8 per 100 workers. This statistic becomes sobering after considering some facts about Everett and its economy.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 111,475 people live in the city as of July 2019. A report by the Employment Security Department estimates 76,500 employees in the county work in government, education, and health services. These areas together reported a rate of 10 out of every 100 workers that experienced an occupational injury. As a result, approximately 7,650 people may have needed workers’ compensation coverage in 2019 alone.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Everett, Washington?
Unfortunately, going through the process of applying for workers’ compensation begins with getting sick or injured on the job. The circumstances surrounding the incident that led to your problems are especially crucial. For example, the injury had to occur during your regular work duties. While an event that happens during your lunch break wouldn’t apply, getting into a car accident while running an errand for your boss would qualify for a claim.
Washington State has a unique state-run program for workers’ compensation coverage. Employers and employees go through the state fund run by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries. Benefits available to workers in Everett who experience occupational injuries include:
- Reimbursement for lost wages
- Coverage for medical bills
- Compensation for out-of-pocket expenses
- Vocational rehabilitation
The state government gives beneficiaries 60% to 75% of their annual wage in direct payments. You should receive the first check in 2 weeks, and time-loss benefits are not subject to income taxes. If you return to limited activities at work, you can apply for Loss of Earning Power benefits.
For example, say your supervisor asked you to drop something off on your lunch break. While running this errand you then get in a car accident on your way to the destination. Any resulting injury is eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if you are on your lunch break, performing no such task when you get in an accident, it does not qualify for a claim.
The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in Washington are critical for filing a claim. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.
Get Medical Attention
After you get injured or feel ill, the first step is to see a doctor. Don’t delay receiving help from a Washington healthcare professional. Taking too long could not only jeopardize your health, but you run the risk of missing deadlines.
Even if you believe your injury is minor, get a proper medical report detailing the extent of the damage and how it occurred. This step is the top priority in the workers’ compensation claim process. Otherwise, your employer cannot file a claim with the insurance carrier.
You may have regular checkups and testing for weeks or months before a doctor finally connects your illness with your job. Your medical records will become the foundation from which the workers’ comp carrier will launch its investigation.
Generally, your doctor determines if the illness happened because of your work conditions or became aggravated by them. Once they do, see your human resources representative to file a workers’ compensation claim.
File a First Report of Injury
Once you have a medical diagnosis relating your illness or injury to your job, you must file a claim with your employer.
If you get hurt on the job in Everett, you only have up to 1 year to file for workers’ compensation. As soon as you know that your illness or injury is work-related, notify your employer. They only have 24 hours, or less, to submit forms to the state for your claim. Submitting any additional information or forms can prevent delays or denial, so it’s in your best interests to act fast.
Timeline and Other Information
A 3-day waiting period applies before you can receive benefits, but you can be reimbursed for this time if recovery takes longer than 2 weeks. Additionally, Everett residents can stay on temporary workers’ comp until a doctor says otherwise. However, if you have reason to believe that you will suffer for a lifetime, you should consider applying for permanent disability.
Your employer should furnish you with information about the claims process. The adjuster or insurance carrier representative may want to speak to you at some point about the incident and any possible witnesses to the event. In the meantime, the workers’ comp insurer may begin paying medical benefits while the investigation into your claim continues.
Why You Should Hire an Everett, Washington Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
While workers’ compensation claims may be straightforward for some cases in Everett, Washington, in others, it may be more difficult. For example, your employer may decide to question whether you were hurt on the clock or on your own time. It’s also common for a company to question the full extent of your injury. Hiring a Everettworkers’ comp lawyer ensures that you have an advocate to fight for your rights as a victim.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Everett, Washington
If you are hurt or contract an illness as a result of your job in Everett, Washington you need to find the right people to help. Since the workers’ compensation claims process can have pitfalls, you should consider getting a local attorney who knows how to avoid them.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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