Kent Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

When workplace injuries derail your life, our workers' compensation lawyers will step in to secure your future. We've helped countless injured workers pursue fair compensation for their injuries, possessing decades of combined experience in personal injury and work injury law.

Don't let a workplace accident jeopardize your family's stability. Trust our firm to fight for your rights.

Workers' Compensation Attorneys in Kent, WA: Your Advocate for Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries are an unfortunate reality in Kent’s bustling industrial landscape. Lehmbecker Law is committed to helping injured workers seek fair and adequate compensation for their injuries.

Our attorneys in Kent bring a unique blend of legal acumen and compassionate service to each case. We've successfully represented clients in workers' comp cases from diverse sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and beyond.

Our deep roots in the Kent community give us invaluable insight into the unique character and risks of local industries, allowing us to build stronger cases for our clients.

Common Workplace Injuries and Their Causes in Kent

In Kent's diverse work environments, which encompasses everything from coffee shops to construction sites, several factors consistently contribute to workplace accidents:

• Overexertion (lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy objects)
• Slips, trips, and falls
• Repetitive motions
• Falling objects
• Machinery mishaps
• Exposure to harmful substances
• Vehicle-related accidents on the job
• Workplace violence

As the city's workforce navigates these challenges on a daily basis, certain injuries have emerged as unfortunately common. They include:

• Traumatic brain injuries from falling objects in construction or warehouse settings
• Respiratory issues from long-term exposure to industrial chemicals
• Musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motions in assembly line work
• Burn injuries in food service and manufacturing industries
• Hearing loss from prolonged exposure to loud machinery
• Occupational illnesses (e.g., respiratory conditions)

By recognizing these sorts of injuries and their causes, you can better protect yourself and understand your rights if an accident occurs. Employers can also use this information to implement targeted safety measures, creating a safer work environment for everyone.

Steps to Take After a Work-Related Injury in Kent

It’s crucial to take the following steps after sustaining an injury on the job in Kent or elsewhere in Washington State:

1. Prioritize your safety: Remove yourself from any dangerous situations and seek first aid if necessary.
2. Notify your employer immediately: Washington law requires you to report injuries within one year, but prompt reporting will strengthen your workers' comp claim.
3. See a doctor as soon as possible: In Washington, you have the right to choose your own doctor for evaluation and treatment.
4. Document everything: Keep detailed records of all medical appointments, treatments, and how the injury affects your daily life and ability to work.
5. File a workers' compensation claim: You can file your claim with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) or your self-insured employer.
6. Consult a workers' compensation attorney: Your attorney will review your case and protect your rights throughout the legal process.

Remember, what you do after getting hurt can significantly impact your ability to receive fair compensation. It’s therefore imperative that you do the right things.

Workers' Compensation in Washington: Your Rights and Benefits

Washington's workers' compensation system, which is overseen by L&I, serves as a safety net for employees injured on the job. This no-fault system aims to provide medical care and partial wage replacement to injured workers while protecting employers from lawsuits.

Unlike many states, Washington doesn't allow private insurance for workers' compensation — most employers must participate in the state fund, with some larger companies permitted to self-insure.

Eligibility for Workers' Comp Benefits

In Washington, workers' compensation coverage is nearly universal. Full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees are all generally covered from their first day on the job. However, there are some exceptions:

• Independent contractors (unless they opt for elective coverage);
• Sole proprietors or partners (unless they choose to buy coverage);
• Volunteers (with some exceptions for specific types of volunteer work);
• Federal employees (who are covered under a separate federal system).

It’s important to understand your eligibility for workplace injury insurance based on your employment status and the nature of the work you perform.

Types of Benefits Available in Washington State

Washington’s workers' compensation system provides several types of benefits, each designed to address different aspects of work-related injuries or illnesses. These include:

Medical Benefits

Medical benefits provide comprehensive coverage for all reasonable and necessary treatment related to your injury. This includes not just immediate care but also long-term treatment and medical devices if needed.

Time-Loss Compensation

Time-loss payments help replace the wages you’ve lost while unable to work. They begin after a three-day waiting period (unless you're unable to work for more than 14 days) and continue until your doctor clears you for work.

Loss-of-Earning-Power Benefits

If you can return to work but earn less due to your injury, you may be eligible for partial wage replacement.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

For injuries resulting in permanent impairment, you may qualify to receive a monetary award based on the state’s disability rating system.

Pensions

Ongoing monthly payments may be available for workers left permanently unable to return to any form of employment.

Vocational Benefits

Vocational benefits can include job modification, on-the-job training, or formal retraining programs to help you return to the workforce after an injury.

Structured Settlement Agreements

In some cases, eligible workers can negotiate a structured settlement that resolves all future benefits, with the exception of medical treatment.

Survivors' Benefits

In situations where a workplace injury proves fatal, the worker's surviving loved ones may receive monthly pension payments and funeral expenses.

Deadlines for Filing Claims with L&I After a Work Injury

Knowing and adhering to the applicable legal deadlines is vital in workers' compensation cases.

In Washington, you generally have one year from the date of the injury to report a workplace accident. For occupational diseases, the deadline is two years from the date you were formally notified in writing by a medical provider.

It's important to note that while these are the legal deadlines, it's always best to report injuries and file claims as soon as possible.

Prompt reporting not only strengthens your claim but also helps ensure that you receive necessary medical care and compensation without delay. Missing these deadlines can result in the loss of your right to benefits, underscoring the importance of timely action.

When and Why You Need a Workers' Compensation Lawyer

While not every workers' compensation case demands legal representation, certain situations strongly warrant the assistance of an experienced attorney. For example:

• Claim denials: If your claim is denied, an attorney can help you understand the reason and guide you through the appeals process.
• Complex injuries: Making sure you receive full and fair compensation becomes more challenging and crucial for severe or long-term injuries.
• Pre-existing conditions: If your recent injury aggravates a pre-existing condition, an attorney can help prove the work-relatedness of your current condition.
• Disputes over treatment: If L&I or your employer denies certain medical treatments, a lawyer can advocate for your right to necessary care.
• Permanent disability ratings: Disputes over permanent partial disability ratings are common and can significantly impact your compensation.
• Return-to-work issues: If you're being pressured to return to work before you're ready or your employer can't accommodate your restrictions, a lawyer can protect your rights.
• Retaliation: If you face negative consequences at work for filing a claim, having reliable legal representation will be vital.

Retaining the services of a skilled workers' compensation lawyer can make a significant difference after being hurt on the job, helping to ensure that you’re treated fairly and that you receive adequate compensation for your losses.

Third-Party Claims: Suing Your Employer for Negligence

While workers' compensation provides essential benefits, it may not cover all of your losses after a workplace injury. In some cases, you may have grounds for a third-party claim, which can drastically increase your overall compensation.

A third-party or personal injury claim is a lawsuit against someone other than your employer who contributed to your work-related injury. This could include:

• Equipment manufacturers responsible for faulty machinery;
• Property owners who failed to maintain safe premises;
• Other drivers involved in work-related auto accidents;
• Contractors or subcontractors working alongside you.

These claims offer several advantages over standard workers' compensation, including:

• Compensation for pain and suffering;
• Potentially higher wage loss compensation;
• Coverage for future medical expenses and lost earning capacity.

In Washington, you typically have three years from the date of the injury to file a third-party claim.

Importantly, you can pursue both workers' compensation and a third-party claim simultaneously. However, if your third-party claim is successful, you may be required to pay back some workers' comp benefits.

Why Choose Lehmbecker Law for Your Workers' Compensation Case?

When selecting a law firm to handle your work injury case in Kent, consider the unique advantages Lehmbecker Law offers:

At Lehmbecker Law, we combine our experience in workers' compensation law with our skills as proven personal injury attorneys to extend exceptional legal services for injured people in Kent and throughout Washington State.