Workers Compensation
Solutions To Help Get The Recovery You Deserve
When you’ve been injured on the job, you are suddenly thrown into a government bureaucracy affecting your medical treatment and ability to earn a living. Hiring an attorney on a workers compensation claim has many advantages. We know the law and can protect your rights. We will administer the claim for you and make sure you receive all the benefits that you are entitled to. We have extensive experience in administering and litigating workers compensation claims.
Tacoma Workers Comp Attorney
At Wallace & Whitford Law, we understand the hardships that arise after a work-related injury. The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim can be overwhelming, and that’s where we step in. As a Tacoma Workers Comp Attorney, we take pride in standing by our clients, ensuring their rights are protected while they focus on recovery. Our dedication to securing fair compensation for workplace injuries has earned us the trust of individuals throughout the Puget Sound region. Whether you’ve been injured on a construction site or hurt in an office setting, we are here to help you navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation laws.
What sets us apart is our commitment to each client. We don’t just handle cases; we walk with you every step of the way, ensuring that your unique needs are met. This personalized approach is particularly important in Tacoma, where industries like construction and manufacturing carry higher risks of work-related injuries. Our aggressive yet compassionate representation ensures that you’re not just another case file — you’re part of our community.
When it comes to workers’ compensation, having a trusted team on your side makes all the difference. Here are some areas we focus on:
- Workers Compensation Lawyer
- Best Workers Compensation Attorney
- Work Injury Lawyer
- Workers Compensation Claims Attorney
- Workers Compensation Legal Help
Navigating the legalities surrounding a workplace injury can be confusing, but you don’t have to do it alone. From filing your claim to negotiating settlements, we take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. Contact Wallace & Whitford Law, your trusted Tacoma Workers Comp Attorney, to schedule a free consultation today.
(253) 348-2200
Tacoma Work-Related Injuries
In Tacoma, many jobs come with inherent risks, and work-related injuries are unfortunately common. From construction accidents to injuries in office environments, work-related injuries can happen anywhere. At Wallace & Whitford Law, we’ve seen the toll these injuries take on both the injured and their families. That’s why we offer experienced legal representation to ensure you’re fully compensated for your injury.
Our team knows the Tacoma area well, and we understand how different industries create different risks. Whether you’re working on a construction site or in an office, we’ll tailor our legal services to your specific situation. We understand the impact that lost wages, medical bills, and long-term recovery can have, and we aim to make this process as smooth as possible.
Here are some areas we can assist with:
- Work Injury Lawyer Near Me
- Legal Help for Work Injuries
- Compensation for Work Injuries
- Work Accident Lawyer
- Attorney for Workplace Injuries
If you or a loved one has suffered from a workplace injury, it’s important to know your rights. At Wallace & Whitford Law, we work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve, so you can get back to your life. Call us today to discuss your options and let us handle your case.
(253) 348-2200
Tacoma Personal Injury Attorney
Accidents happen, and when they do, they can turn your world upside down. Whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall, or another personal injury, our Tacoma Personal Injury Attorney team is here to fight for the compensation you deserve. At Wallace & Whitford Law, we specialize in handling a wide range of personal injury cases and are dedicated to holding those responsible for your injuries accountable.
As a local firm, we’re deeply connected to Tacoma’s community. We know the area and its unique needs. Our team has successfully handled cases involving auto accidents, premises liability, and other personal injury claims throughout the region. If you’ve suffered a personal injury, we’ll work to ensure your case is resolved quickly and favorably.
Here are some key services we offer:
- Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
- Best Personal Injury Lawyer
- Car Accident Lawyer
- Personal Injury Compensation Lawyer
- Injury Claims Lawyer
If you’ve been injured, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Wallace & Whitford Law today to schedule your consultation with a skilled Tacoma Personal Injury Attorney. We’ll fight for your rights and make sure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
(253) 348-2200
Workers Compensation Benefits
- Medical coverage for all necessary treatment at no cost
- Bi-weekly time loss benefits for lost wages
- Loss of earning power benefits if you return to work light duty and are earning less income due to your injury
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Compensation for a permanent partial disability if you are able to return to work
- A lifetime disability pension if you are permanently unable to return to gainful employment
Types of Claims
There are two types of workers compensation claims. There are “industrial injury” claims, which require a specific and sudden event occurring in the course of employment that causes an injury. The other type of claim is called an “occupational disease” claim, resulting from repetitive overuse-type activities that occur over time due to distinctive conditions of your employment. We take a closer look at each type of workers compensation claim below.
Industrial Injury Claims
This type of claim may entitle you to workers compensation benefits if it can be proved you suffered a sudden and tangible event that produced an injury while on the job. An injury event may be something as simple as tripping, slipping or falling down. An event may have occurred if an object struck you or if you sustained an injury while using equipment. Even a car accident could count as an event, if it resulted from driving during the course of employment.
If you were injured in this way while working, you should tell your employer and see a doctor immediately. Time-loss compensation for industrial industry claims is typically retroactive to the date of the injury for a percentage of the gross amount you were making on that date, provided you are unable to work due to your injury. You have one year from the date of your injury to make sure a claim has been filed with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
Occupational Disease Claims
This less common type of a workers compensation claim applies to a health condition that developed naturally out of distinctive conditions of your employment. Repetitive motion strains such as carpal tunnel or tennis elbow are common occupational disease claims, as are some respiratory conditions caused by dust, smoke or chemicals.
Because these conditions are not tied directly to a specific event, they can be a little more difficult to litigate than an injury claim. With occupational disease claims, your claim must be filed within two years from the time your doctor tells you your condition is due to your work. If time-loss compensation is awarded for an occupational disease claim, you will receive the same percentage of income you would receive for an injury claim, but in this case it would typically be retroactive to the date you first sought medical treatment for the health condition (known as the date of manifestation), so long as the occupational disease prevented you from working since that date.
The Basics - What You Should Know
- If you get injured at work, you should report it to your employer and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- You can go to any doctor you choose, so long as the doctor accepts L&I claims. Often times employers urge workers to go to doctors that they select. Going to a doctor recommended by your employer is seldom a good idea. Find your own doctor who will support you through the claim process. If you need help finding a doctor, a workers compensation lawyer could provide you with some names. Be sure your doctor files an L&I claim for you.
- Once your claim is allowed, you will be entitled to receive the medical treatment being recommended by your doctor at no charge.
- If you are unable to work for more than three days, you will be entitled to time loss compensation. Make sure L&I is paying you the correct amount in your time loss benefits. Mistakes are often made in calculating your time loss amount. Your time loss amount is based on your gross monthly earnings from all employment at the time of your injury in addition to your marital status and number of dependents. If you are single, you are entitled to 60% of your gross monthly wages in time loss benefits. If you are married the percentage is 65%, and you get 2% for each child up to the maximum of five children.
- Your employer may offer you light duty work before you have completed your medical treatment. They have the legal right to offer you a light duty job, but only after your doctor has reviewed a written job description of the position and has signed it certifying that you can physically perform the job. If your employer makes you a written job offer approved by your doctor, L&I can terminate your time loss benefits if you turn the job down. Moreover, if your employer terminates you for cause while working light duty, your time loss benefits will not be reinstated unless your physical condition deteriorates to the point where your doctor says you could no longer perform the light duty job.
- L&I often will send injured workers to “independent” medical examinations (IME). Many, if not most, IME reports do not favor injured workers. There are a limited number of doctors who perform these exams, and most are retired doctors that no longer treat patients. It would be wise to consult with an attorney prior to attending an IME.
- Watch for any orders or decisions issued by L&I that have a deadline in which you can dispute the decision. Most orders from L&I only allow you 60 days to dispute a decision. Failure to dispute the decision within that time frame will result in the order becoming final and binding. Some vocational determinations issued by L&I only allow a 15 day period in which to dispute the decision.
If for any reason you do not believe you are receiving the benefits to which you are entitled, if L&I or your employer are causing problems for your claim, or if L&I has issued an order or decision that you disagree with, you should contact Wallace & Whitford Law, PLLC for a free consultation and case evaluation.