Olympia Workers Compensation Lawyer

Knowledgeable Olympia Workers Compensation Lawyer Fights for the Rights of Workers Suffering from Work Injuries and Occupational Diseases in Thurston County and Throughout Washington State

If you have experienced a workplace injury or been diagnosed with an occupational disease, the Washington state workers’ compensation system entitles you to certain financial compensation and benefits to help you during your journey towards recovery. But if you are facing obstacles in getting the benefits you deserve, an Olympia workers’ compensation lawyer from Smith Duran Law is ready to go to work on your behalf. We fight hard against attempts by L&I or your employer to minimize your injuries or deny or terminate the benefits you are relying on for your recovery. Our firm will pursue every avenue to obtain justice for you.

After suffering a work injury or occupational illness in Olympia, turn to Smith Duran Law for a free initial consultation. Let an Olympia workers compensation lawyer from our firm walk you through your legal options for pursuing financial benefits you may be entitled to under the law. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available in Washington State

If you have experienced a work injury or occupational illness, the workers’ compensation system in Washington state can provide you with various benefits that can assist you with your recovery. The benefits you might receive in a workers’ comp claim will vary depending on the severity of your injuries or occupational disease, the course of your recovery, and whether you are left with permanent impairment or disability. Benefits available from workers’ comp include:

• Medical benefits – Covers the cost of medical treatments and rehabilitation of a work injury or occupational illness
• Expense reimbursements – Provides reimbursement of eligible travel expenses to and from medical appointments/treatments, as well as reimbursement for personal property of yours that was damaged or lost in a work accident
• Wage loss replacement – Provides payments to replace a portion of lost wages if you miss time from work, or if you return to work during your recovery in a part-time or lower-paying modified duty role
• Vocational training – If you cannot go back to your old job, this benefit helps you find new work you can do within the limitations imposed by your work injury or occupational disease
• Disability benefits – Offers compensation for a permanent impairment when you can still work. The amount is based on the affected body part and the severity of the impairment
• Pension benefits – Provides compensation to a worker who is permanently, totally disabled from working in any job
• Death benefits – Contributes towards a deceased worker’s funeral/burial costs if they pass away from a work injury or occupational disease, and provides the worker’s family or dependents with pension benefits

How to File a Claim for Benefits in Olympia

If you have never suffered a work injury or occupational illness before, you may not know what to do to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Filing for benefits in Olympia involves steps such as:

• Seeking medical attention and notifying your employer of a diagnosed work injury or occupational disease as soon as possible, so that your employer can prepare to handle workers’ comp paperwork.
• Filing your claim forms with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries, or with your employer if they are self-insured for workers’ compensation. Claims of work injuries must be filed within one year of the date of injury, while occupational disease claims must be filed within two years of being diagnosed.
• Responding to requests from L&I or your employer for additional information for your claim, or to submit to an independent medical examination (at no cost to you).
• Updating L&I or your employer with changes to your information, such as if you move addresses or switch medical providers for your work injury or occupational disease.
• If your claim is denied or if you are not awarded the benefits you think you deserve, filing a protest against L&I’s decision, or directly appealing the denial of your claim or benefits to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals.

Finally, you should also consider speaking to an Olympia workers’ compensation lawyer as early as possible in the process to get help with preparing and filing your claim paperwork and for legal representation in case your claim is denied. 

Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation to Discuss Your Rights after Suffering a Work Injury or Being Diagnosed with an Occupational Illness in Olympia

Don’t wait to begin a claim for workers’ comp benefits after being injured on the job. Contact Smith Duran Law for a free, no-obligation case review to learn more about what an Olympia workers’ compensation lawyer can do to assist you in securing financial benefits that can help in your recovery.

About Olympia, WA

Olympia is a city located in Thurston County, Washington, and serves as the county seat for Thurston County as well as the capital of the state of Washington. Incorporated in 1859, Olympia was named for its views of the Olympic Mountains. Many of Olympia’s historic buildings were damaged beyond repair in the 1949 Olympia earthquake. The city suffered further damage in subsequent earthquakes in 1965 and 2001. Olympia has historically been famous for its artesian wells, with efforts in recent years aimed at preserving publicly-accessible wells.

Frequently Asked Questions about Workers’ Compensation in Olympia