Tacoma Workers Compensation Lawyer

Dedicated Tacoma Workers Compensation Lawyer Advocate on Behalf of Hard-Working Individuals in Pierce County and Throughout Washington State

Have you suffered a workplace injury or an occupational disease in Tacoma? If so, you may be entitled to receive financial benefits from the Washington state workers’ compensation system. This no-fault financial compensation is designed to help workers as they try to recover from injury or illness. If you are having trouble getting workers’ comp benefits from L&I or your employer, a Tacoma workers compensation lawyer from Smith Duran Law can help. For years, our attorneys have been advocating for the rights of hard-working people in Pierce County and throughout Washington state. We know first-hand the difficulties that people suffering from injury or illness face in getting insurance benefits or qualified medical care. That’s why we tenaciously fight to get you the justice you deserve. 

After you have been hurt at work, reach out to Smith Duran Law for a free initial case review. A Tacoma workers compensation lawyer from our firm can help you better understand your legal options for recovering financial benefits to help you treat your injuries and pay your bills while out of work due to your injury. 

What Benefits Are Available from Workers’ Compensation?

Under Washington state’s workers’ compensation system, you may be able to receive various financial benefits depending on the severity of your work injury or occupational disease and how long it takes you to recover from that injury or illness. The workers’ comp system can provide benefits such as:

• Medical benefits that pay for the cost of treatment and rehabilitation
• Travel expense reimbursement that covers the cost of eligible travel to and from medical appointments and procedures
• Wage loss replacement, if you miss time from work, or if you earn less income after taking a light/modified duty or part-time role while recovering from your injury or illness
• Vocational training, which can get you into a new job if you can no longer do your old one
• Reimbursement of the cost of property of yours that was lost or damaged/destroyed in a workplace accident 
• Disability benefits, which offer compensation for permanent impairment of a body part, based on the affected part and the severity of your impairment
• Pension benefits, which provide you with financial support if you are permanently disabled from any form of gainful employment
• Death benefits, which can help cover funeral/burial costs and provide surviving family members with pension payments

How to File a Claim for Workers’ Comp Benefits

The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim in Tacoma involves several important steps:

• First, seek medical attention as soon as possible after a workplace accident or if you believe you are suffering from an occupational disease. You may seek emergency treatment or go on a first visit with any healthcare provider of your choice
• Promptly your employer that you have suffered a work injury or have been diagnosed with an occupational disease
• File your workers’ compensation claim with the Washington State Division of Labor & Industries, or if your employer is self-insured for workers’ compensation, file your claim directly with your employer. If you work for a self-insured employer, your human resources department can assist you with filing a workers’ comp claim. Remember that you have one year from the date of a work injury or two years after being diagnosed with an occupational disease to file your claim
• Respond to any requests for additional information from L&I or your employer, including attending any requested independent medical examinations. Failing to do so may result in your claim being denied
• If your workers’ comp claim is denied by L&I, you have the option of protesting the decision within 60 days of receiving notice of the denial. Alternatively, you may appeal the denial of your workers’ compensation claim directly to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals

Most importantly, you should speak to a Tacoma workers compensation lawyer as early in the process as possible to get legal help in case you face difficulties or obstacles having your workers’ comp claim approved.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation to Go Over Your Workers’ Compensation Rights

Don’t delay starting the process of claiming the financial benefits you may be entitled to for a work injury or occupational illness. Contact Smith Duran Law for a free case evaluation to learn more about how a Tacoma workers compensation lawyer from our firm can assist you with recovering workers’ comp benefits. 

About Tacoma, WA

Tacoma is a city in Pierce County, Washington, and serves as the county seat. Located on the Puget Sound midway between Seattle and Olympia, Tacoma derives its name from the original name for Mount Rainier, which local Native Americans called “Takhoma” or “Tahoma”. Tacoma was also given the nickname “City of Destiny” for its position as the western end of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Tacoma also hosts one of the largest ports on the Pacific Coast and processes substantial international trade. In recent years, downtown Tacoma has seen substantial revitalization thanks to the construction of Washington state’s first electric light rail service and the opening of numerous art and history museums. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Workers’ Compensation in Tacoma