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Washington Workers' Compensation Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Workers' Compensation and Environmental for Washington on
Q: Do I have a case against County Courthouse for toxic mold in my workplace?

After I started work at the Courthouse, I became ill. I was diagnosed with mold biotoxin illness due to water damage from a building, which the courthouse has had lots. While out on medical leave I started getting better, when I went back for one hour, my symptoms came back. My medical team and I... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 27, 2023

Given your diagnosis of mold biotoxin illness and the apparent presence of toxic mold in your workplace at the County Courthouse, you may have grounds to pursue a case. The visible signs of water damage, coupled with your health deterioration upon returning to work, provide substantial evidence.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: If there wasn't a permit pulled for Commercial Roof repair how can I determine which Contractor is liable for injuries?!

I fell thru a unprotected skylight while on the job and although neglect & safety codes were obviously unmet there appears to be a ghost Contractor on the involved...

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 19, 2023

If you fell while on the job, your first and best recourse is to file a workers compensation claim against your employer. If you were an individual independent contractor, you should file with your own workers compensation carrier.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: found out my manager has been getting his pay docked whenever the owner decides too many people called out. That Legal?

I work at a glassblowing studio where everyone works 40 hours a week of constant physical labor, it regularly gets above 100 degrees and many safety precautions are often not put as top priority. Needless to say call outs happen occasionally.

I recently found out that my wonderful manager... View More

Brad S Kane
Brad S Kane
answered on Jul 22, 2023

An employer may not discipline an employee by "docking" their earned pay. The manager should speak with an employment attorney about their rights.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: When should I hire an attorney to appeal a permanent partial disability claim?

Was awarded workers comp for acute leukemia caused by chemicals. Had several permanent physical changes (kidney issues, permanent ostomy, ostopenia, heart issues, sterile) due to extensive treatment and bad reactions to treatment. Workers comp only awarded PPD for one of the physical changes... View More

Steve Dashiak
Steve Dashiak
answered on Aug 18, 2021

I say this as someone who is not a workers comp attorney: Please, never go through a WA workers compensation claim without an attorney again. It's possible you've left an enormous amount of money on the table. People get fee sensitive when thinking about workers comp attorneys, knowing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI, Employment Law, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: How do I know that I need a lawyer?

I live in Kirkland, WA and am not currently employed.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 4, 2020

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for four weeks. From the brief description, it isn't clear what the matter involves, as it is posted across several categories. For starters, if you were injured (you posted under Personal Injury), you could reach out to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Workers' Compensation and Employment Discrimination for Washington on
Q: Should I file EEOC and sue?

My employer cut my hours and days due to my "negative energy" aka my depression. It has never affected me with my clients but my coworkers were "concerned" and told my manager who the district leader told her to cut my hours without talking to me before doing so.

Kyle Anderson
Kyle Anderson
answered on Jun 10, 2020

I would recommend reaching out to an employment attorney in your state for a consultation. Your depression may qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so an adverse employment action (pay cut, termination, etc.) taken on the basis of your depression may be unlawful.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Tax Law, Workers' Compensation and Business Law for Washington on
Q: Can I sue for getting paid under the table?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 5, 2019

It would depend on what the basis of the lawsuit was, but an attorney in each of the categories you list could probably advise you on the downside of working off the books. Maybe one of the most pressing issues is workers' comp coverage for an on-the-job injury. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: Looking for an attorney willing to go up against Boeing and their private insurer, Sedgewick.

Need someone who can help facilitate the dealings with Sedgewick, who is Boeing's private insurer, because they can't seem to get things right on a case that has been going on for 10+ years. Had 5 foot surgeries 10+ years ago. Finally got fixed with 5th one. About 1-1/2 years ago,... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 27, 2019

I'm sorry for your frustrating ordeal. Maybe the best thing to do at this point would be to start looking up workers' comp attorneys in the Seattle area (if that's where you are, based on being employed by Boeing). Many of them provide free initial consults. You could look up... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: Is it possible to file a workers' comp claim for being bullied at work? I had to seek counseling and it ruined my life.
Timothy Emery
Timothy Emery
answered on Sep 26, 2018

Contact an attorney to discuss potential employment law claims (and potential WC claims as well). www.emeryreddy.com.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: I was driving my personal vehicle when driving from sales meeting in tri cities to work in yakima and i was on the cloc

During the middle of a winter storm while commuting from meeting to work site i hit black ice and totaled my car and got a concussion. Is my employer responsible for my car financially they did pay my hospital bills.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 11, 2017

Only if you had an agreement with them. Otheriwise, presumably you received mileage which in part would compensate you for insurance which is what should cover your damage. If you chose to not get insurance, your baby.

However you have a comp claim and should contact a member of the State...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation and Construction Law for Washington on
Q: Do I have a case- short version- I tore my meniscus while on the job. Before I thought about possibly claiming L&I,

I gave my Dr my work insurance info and just told them I tore it getting it of car. I had worked for them for 5 months before this incident. When I finally talked to them they non-chalantly encouraged me not to claim L&I, saying they would pay me 80 hrs every 2 weeks and when the medical bills... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jul 6, 2017

Talk to a member of the State of Washington Assn for Justice who handles workers compensation. Problem is your original story.......but members of SWAJ give free consults.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: Should i return to my work of injury on a non fully recovered injury

Physician is releasing me back to work of injury, i was told from pysician that i would need an arthogram done to view more of my injury to see if i would need surgery or not, but for now i am able to return to work, should i return to work and risk getting injured again, or should i wait untill... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 9, 2017

You should contact a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Assn who handles comp cases--they give free consults. You can still get treatment after you return. You need to be sure your doctor understands what use of your shoulder is at your job. Many just get a description from the work... View More

Q: Is there any experienced LTD attorneys in Spokane, wa?

I had worked for about 10 years in a large manufacturing firm before my medical condition forced me unable to continue. I had an active LTD paying benifits for about a year before they decided to discontinue. I disputed their unjust decision as many times as they allowed for appeals with no win... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 14, 2017

Look for an attorney who handles ERISA claims--strt with the State of Washington Assn for Justice--they give free consults. However, 15 years is in most cases way too late for a case like yours.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Washington on
Q: if an employer does not inform you or give any incentive of liability and if you get injured how much liability covered?
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 29, 2016

Not sure what you mean. Comp is no fault system. If the employer is unsafe, in most states you can't sue them. If you do something unsafe, so far no effect. So "liability " isn't an issue.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation and Family Law for Washington on
Q: How do I retain a new attorney?My current attorney has severe health issues & is very confused acting. Not doing his job

He no shows scheduled calls and when I do speak with him he asked me what "we" should do. He has to be reminded of past conversations and action plans. His last statement was that he wanted to get paid before he passes on. Not sure how to proceed.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 29, 2016

Sounds like you need to sit down with him, see what he has done, and his plan.The comp process can be the subject of misunderstanding, and he may be as frustrated as you but expressing it in ways that seem argumentative.

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