The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries can help with workers compensation claims if you have been injured on the job or develop an occupational disease. These benefits can help you with medical expenses related to the work injury, yet some people need legal help with their L&I claim. That’s where Brumback & Ottem Injury Law can help.
Serving the state of Washington since the 1990s, our attorneys offer bulldog tough legal representation and a steadfast commitment to the hard-working people of the Pacific Northwest.
If you suffered a serious on-the-job illness or workplace injury and need an L&I lawyer near you, contact our Yakima County work injury attorneys. You can also reach our law office in Union Gap by calling (509) 350-4976.
What Can L&I Benefits Cover?
Your workers’ compensation claim in the state of Washington can cover all kinds of losses related to a work injury. L&I benefits can be used to address:
- Payment for relevant medical treatment
- Partial wage replacement
- Permanent partial disability (PPD)
- Vocational training if you need to pursue a new line of work
- Pension payments if you are unable to work
- Death benefits for surviving family members
If you have any question about L&I benefits, our lawyers can provide straightforward answers and discuss the claims process in more detail.
How Long Do I Have to File an L&I Claim?
According to info from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, you have one year from the date of your injury to file a Report of Accident with L&I or your self-insured employer. Once that one-year deadline has passed, you will not be able to file an L&I claim and receive benefits.
Don’t delay. It’s in your best interests to contact our Yakima County L&I attorneys as soon as possible after a work-related accident or occupational illness. We can let you know if you should proceed with an L&I claim or if you can pursue legal action based on what you experienced on the job.
Why Choose Brumback & Ottem for Help with Your Claim
At Brumback & Ottem Injury Law, we pride ourselves on working hard for the hard-working people of Yakima County. It’s part of our deep loyalty to the people around us, and our way of sharing Midwestern values here in the Pacific Northwest.
Attorneys with More Than 65 Years of Combined Experience
Attorneys Scott Brumback, Sidney Ottem, and Cheyenne Ottem have more than 65 years of combined experience. Some of our case managers have decades of experience under their belts as well. We are proud to have served the working people of Washington since the 1990s and will continue to be strong advocates after serious injuries and accidents.
Bulldog Tough Legal Representation
When we say we’re “bulldog tough,” that isn’t just a reference to our mascots Mo and Vinnie. Bulldog tough means we don’t just handpick cases we know we can win. Our lawyers will work on complicated cases that involve theWashington State Department of Labor & Industries when we believe our client has a good and worthwhile claim that’s worth fighting for.
Discounts for Veterans and First Responders
Brumback & Ottem Injury Law appreciates the sacrifice and service of America’s veterans and Yakima County’s first responders. To show our gratitude for what you do for our country and our state, we are proud to offer a discount for members of the military and first responders. For us, it is an honor to serve you.
Contact Our Tough and Dedicated L&I Lawyers Serving Yakima, WA
Do you need help with an issue involving the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries? The lawyers at Brumback & Ottem Injury Law can help you file a workers comp claim and seek benefits after a workplace injury. If you got injured in a workplace accident in Yakima and need to speak with an experienced L&I attorney near you, contact our work injury law firm today.
Serious Falls at Work
Falls are a major cause of workplace injuries. These kinds of accidents are part of OSHA’s Focus Four, which are the four leading causes of serious and fatal injuries at construction sites nationwide. Falling from scaffolding, a tall building, or from any great height can cause catastrophic injuries. There’s a particularly high risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or neck and spinal cord injuries depending on how a worker lands.
If you suffered a serious fall on the job and need support with recovery, our Yakima County L&I lawyers can provide assistance.
Caught-In or Caught-Between Injuries at Work
Another one of OSHA’s Focus Four, caught-in and caught-between covers injuries related to getting pinned or caught in machinery while doing work. This includes a wide range of work accidents, including trench cave-ins; getting a limb pinched and pulled into machinery; and getting pinned, crushed, or compressed by heavy equipment or between large objects.
These kinds of accidents can cause major injuries, and possibly even the loss of a limb. Our L&I attorneys will assist with your claim and advocate for you if your workers’ compensation claim gets denied.
Struck-By Accidents at Work
Struck-by accidents are also among OSHA’s Focus Four. Struck-by injuries involve workers being hit by equipment, vehicles, and material at a workplace. These kinds of incidents can resemble caught-in or caught-between injuries, but struck-by accidents tend to involve falling objects (e.g., a tool falling off of a scaffold), flying objects (e.g., particles or sparks), swinging objects (e.g., dangling objects from a crane), and rolling objects (e.g., a pipe or cable reel).
Serious injuries can happen even with personal protective equipment (PPE) and good safety practices at a workplace. Our L&I lawyers can assist you in seeking workers’ compensation after these kinds of on-the-job mishaps.
Electrocution and Electrical Injuries at Work
The last of OSHA’s Focus Four, electrocution and electrical injuries can cause serious harm that could have lasting effects on your health and overall well-being. Electrical injuries have been known to cause serious burns as well as long-term damage to the nerves, muscles, and internal organs. Some electrical injuries could prove fatal.
If you suffered a serious electrical injury while working in Yakima County, the L&I attorneys at Brumback & Ottem Injury Law can discuss the workers’ compensation process in more detail and give you greater insight into the scope of your injuries.
Repetitive Stress Injuries at Work
Also known as repetitive strain injuries, repetitive stress injuries (RSI) refer to different kinds of damage to the muscles, nerves, and tendons. These kinds of injuries are caused by repetitive motions that are common in one’s job, though they often affect the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and knees. RSIs are common in physically demanding jobs or occupations that involve the use of tools, equipment, or machinery that could put extra stress or strain on one part of the body.
If you’ve been injured because of the wear and tear of your work, our L&I lawyers can help you seek benefits to assist in your recovery and help you get back to doing what you love.
Exposure to Toxic or Harmful Substances at Work
Some injuries are not immediate. If your workplace uses toxic solvents, harsh chemicals, or has noxious fumes of any kind, it’s possible that you may be gradually exposed to harmful substances that lead to illness later in life. The types of illnesses that may develop vary, but some could cause respiratory problems, issues with vision, and damage to internal organs.
Our L&I attorneys can discuss your injuries in more detail and help you seek compensation to address the drastic changes to your health and quality of life.
Work-Related Vehicle Accidents
Some workers may need to drive around Yakima County as part of their job. Whether you’re making deliveries or are an emergency first responder, you know that there are potential risks while you are on the road. Vehicle accidents can cause catastrophic injuries that may require substantial time and physical rehabilitation to make a full recovery.
If you were seriously hurt in a work-related auto collision, our L&I lawyers can discuss filing a worker’s compensation claim. Depending on what happened, you could potentially file a motor vehicle accident lawsuit instead to seek compensation.
L&I Death Benefits for Fatal Workplace Accidents
Some workplace injuries are so severe that they prove fatal. For the surviving family members of the worker who was killed, there’s immense pain in losing their loved one. This grief is made worse by medical debts, funerary expenses, and the financial uncertainties caused by this change in household income.
If you lost a member of your family in a work-related accident or occupational disease, our on-the-job injury lawyers can discuss L&I death benefits and the potential for workers’ compensation coverage.
Speak with Experienced L&I Lawyers in Yakima County
Need help dealing with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries? Our workplace accident lawyers can help out. If you got injured at work in Yakima and need tough L&I attorneys near you, contact our accident lawyers in Union Gap, WA.
What to Expect During the L&I Claim Process
After you get seriously hurt at work, be sure to tell your employer and seek immediate medical attention. Once you meet with a doctor here in Yakima County, be sure to tell the doctor that your injuries are work related. The medical professional can help you file a workers’ compensation claim so you can receive L&I benefits.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries offers a guide on how to file an L&I claim, which includes helpful supporting documents to prepare and include as part of your claim. Our work injury lawyers can provide additional help or answer your questions if you need it.
What to Do If Your L&I Claim Is Denied
According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, you have two options:
- Protesting an L&I Decision: This is a request to have the initial decision reconsidered. L&I will then modify, reverse, or reaffirm the initial denial of your claim.
- Appealing an L&I Decision: An appeal can be filed with the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA). A hearing may be scheduled for the appeal if L&I does not reconsider its initial decision.
Following a denial, our L&I attorneys can advise you on the right option to pursue given your situation and the work injury you experienced.
Why Was My L&I Claim Denied?
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries may deny your workers’ compensation claim for a variety of reasons.
In some cases, the department may claim that the injury did not occur at work or is related to a preexisting condition. Other reasons for denial include a lack of sufficient medical evidence, the accident was not reported properly, necessary paperwork was never received, or the claim was filed too late.
Our Yakima County L&I attorneys can help you seek workers’ compensation benefits following a denial. Even if your circumstances are complicated, we will be bulldog tough for you. This is part of our tireless commitment to the regular, hard-working people here in the Pacific Northwest.
Should I File a Workers Comp or Workplace Injury Claim?
This really depends on the nature of your work injury, what happened during the accident, and if your employer or a third party acted negligently.
If your work injuries were just an unfortunate accident, it’s best to file an L&I claim to get workers’ comp benefits. However, if your injuries were the result of unsafe working conditions, poor safety standards, or reckless actions by your employer or a third party, it may be in your best interests to file a workplace injury accident claim.
This is why it’s so important to speak with experienced accident attorneys about what happened at your workplace. At Brumback & Ottem Injury Law, we will help you understand which option makes the most sense given the nature of the accident. We can then guide you through the process of filing an L&I claim or filing an injury claim.
Speak with Our Yakima County L&I Lawyers About Your Legal Options
If you need help dealing with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Brumback & Ottem Injury Law is here to provide bulldog tough guidance. Our team is ready to advocate for you. To discuss your legal options with trusted L&I attorneys near you, contact our Yakima County work injury law firm today. You can also reach our law office in Union Gap, WA by calling (509) 350-4976.