How to Prepare for an IME exam: 6 Steps You Must Follow

Work injury claimants call my office all the time asking for advice about IME exams. Many of them heard bad things about IME tests. They don’t know what to expect. Others ask how to prepare for the IME and what to do. The best advice I can give is… Read More
Read More

My Self-Insured Employer Has a TPA - What Does That Mean?

The Industrial Insurance Act governs every workers’ compensation claim in Washington State. This act provides benefits to workers and their dependents for disabilities or death after a work injury or occupational disease. Therefore, every L&I c… Read More
Read More

The L&I Double Standard: Workplace Safety vs Medical Coverage

I regularly applaud and give praise to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) when praise is due. In particular, I’m always impressed with L&I’s workplace health and safety programs. L&I dedicates tremendous resources to studyin… Read More
Read More

The Most Important Thing in Workers’ Compensation Claims: Safety First!

I’ve been representing work injury claimants for nearly 20 years. I don’t want to say that I’ve seen it all. I’m sure I haven’t. But I’ve seen a lot. During a standard day, I take approximately 3-5 claim consultations. Usually, while on t… Read More
Read More

Workers’ Compensation Attorney Fee and Costs in Washington State

People call me every day to consult about their workplace injury claim. Some of them are looking for representation. Almost always, attorney fees are a concern. The purpose of this article is to explain all L&I attorney fee considerations and cos… Read More
Read More

Vocational Recovery and Early Return to Work After a Work Injury

Some people can recover quickly and return to work after a workplace injury. For me, that’s the best L&I claim outcome. However, these are two separate topics. I genuinely believe that they must go together. First and foremost is the recovery.… Read More
Read More

Closing L&I Claim: Do I Need an Attorney?

I get calls from work injury claimants often. The #1 reason they call is because their L&I claim is closing. Also, the same goes for self-insured employer claims in Washington State. L&I claim closure can be very stressful. To help, I put tog… Read More
Read More

L&I Retraining: What Are My Options?

L&I claim retraining is one of the most valuable benefits during your workers’ compensation claim in Washington State. Retraining benefits aren’t available for everyone. In fact, retraining is a discretionary benefit. However, when the retrai… Read More
Read More

PPD Rating in L&I Claims (and Why Most Doctors Won’t Do It)

After a workplace injury or work illness, some people are left with some sort of permanent disability. In legal terms, we call it permanent measurable residuals. Usually, these work injury claimants are eligible to a permanent partial disability awar… Read More
Read More

L&I Claim and Arthritis Around the Spine - A Challenging Medical Condition

Recently, I’ve encountered an interesting diagnosis in several L&I claim matters in Washington State. The name of the condition is diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (or DISH in short). It relates to arthritis mostly around the spine. Som… Read More
Read More