L&I or Washing State Department of Labor & Industries is a quasi insurance system that covers employees of a company hurt on the job. They are usually paid benefits such as medical care, permanent partial disability, time loss compensation, pensions, and other payments.
L&I claims are very confusing leaving you to wonder how much is my L&I claim worth. If you’re not sure about how the claim works, keep on reading.
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Who is Covered by L&I
Most people are covered by L&I insurance. A lot of people have this insurance but they may never know about it until the time comes. Coverage is mandatory and the employers are required to pay the benefits before or after a worker has been injured.
The insurance is also applicable to anyone who works under the table. A lot of people are not aware of this fact because they think insurance is only for those who are at risk of an injury. No matter who you are or what job you do, you are covered by the insurance.
Are There Any Other Types of L&I Insurance?
There are two types of L&I insurance. Some of the cases are directly handled by the Department of Labor & Industries using state funds, and the other is handled by L&I claims manager. Some of the cases are also sometime self-insured, meaning that they are handled by the agents of an employer.
How Do You File an L&I Claim?
To file an L&I claim, you will have to see a doctor and complete the L&I accident report form. If you are going down the state fund route, the form should already be available with your doctor. If your employer is self-insured, then your employer will provide you with the form.
You have to complete the form on your part and give it to the doctor’s office so they can complete their part of the form. It is then sent to Labor & Industries. To be able to claim in a timely manner, it is crucial that you let your employer know about your injury as soon as possible.
Are There any Deadlines Involved?
Yes, there is a deadline for filing the L&I claim. If the disability was caused by an injury, you will have one year to file the claim. If it was caused by a serious illness, then you will have two years to file the claim. Sometimes this time period is longer depending on the occupational disease.
Worker’s compensation law covering PPD and TTD benefits is a complex and confusing matter. It is often a very good idea to quickly get in touch with a permanent partial disability lawyer. A lawyer will help you file the claim or appeal against rejected claims. They will provide you with the right knowledge to help fill the L&I forms that are required before the claim is made. Furthermore, they can strengthen your case and help you get maximum benefits.
