Filing Your Claim

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Filing Your Claim	in Spanish

Complete all required paperwork.
	Your paperwork will depend on the type of injury or occupational disease you are claiming. Read it carefully, respond promptly, and keep copies of everything. Always put your claim number on your paperwork and have it handy when you call L&I or your self-insured employer.
Questions workers have: What is the deadline for filing a claim with L&I for an on-the-job injury? L&I or your self-insured employer must receive your claim application within one year of your injury date to file a claim. We must receive it within two years from the date of your doctor's diagnosis for occupational disease claims. What information goes on the accident report? Information about your injury, employer, wages, diagnosis, treatment and other background information. (Note: The report is called the Report of Industrial Injury or Occupational Disease. If your employer is self-insured, it is called the Self Insurer Accident Report (SIF-2). Your doctor may complete the Physicians Initial Report. If your injury limits your ability to work, your doctor will also complete an Activity Prescription Form (F242‑385‑000).) If you're an apprentice, you should look at What to Do If Injured as an Apprentice on the job or during training. What L&I paperwork can I expect in the mail? A Claim Arrival Card, legal documents called Notices of Decision, and possibly correspondence asking for more information. If you are receiving time-loss compensation, you will also receive a Worker Verification Form (F242‑052‑000). If your employer is self-insured, what you receive will depend on your employer's claim process. How long will it take to find out if my claim has been accepted? Your doctor has five days to send the report to L&I or your self-insured employer. L&I's or your self-insured employer's processing time will vary, depending on the type of claim. If you are eligible for wage-replacement benefits, and no further information is needed, L&I or your self-insured employer sends the first benefit check within 14 days of receiving the report. Updating information: How do I let L&I or my self-insured employer know if my address, doctor, or other information changes? Please let us know right away, so your claim isn't delayed. For address and information changes at L&I, call your claim manager or 1‑800‑547‑8367. If your employer is self-insured, contact them directly. For doctor changes, use the Change of Attending Physician (F245‑037‑000) form. What if I live or move out of state? Your rights, benefits and responsibilities for your claim will remain the same. Washington laws will always apply to your claim regardless of where you live. Many doctors and providers don't accept workers' compensation cases. Find a Doctor in your area. All health care providers who treat you must have a provider account with Washington L&I in order to be paid. This includes pharmacies, hospitals, therapists, doctors, clinics and all other providers. Out of state providers may need to use the L&I web site to get needed forms to file your claim as well as billing forms for their services.
Did you know? Clearly filling out the accident report form and explaining your injury will ensure you get all the benefits to which you are entitled.

Understand your rights as an injured worker.
	Workers who are injured on the job and file a claim with L&I have rights. These include protection against discrimination for filing a claim, the right to protest L&I decisions, the right to change doctors and the right to take legal action against a "third-party" (someone not their employer) who may be responsible for the injury.
Questions workers have: Can my employer fire me for filing a claim? Your employer may not discriminate against you simply because you filed a claim. However, your employer may fire you and replace you with another worker if no one else can do your job and no light-duty jobs are available - or if your injury happened because you violated a safety rule. What if I think my injury was the fault of a third party? Washington's workers' compensation is "no-fault" insurance. Workers are covered regardless of what caused the on-the-job injury. However, if it was caused by the failure of a machine, product or someone who is not your coworker, you have the right to sue such a "third party." May I change doctors or seek a second medical opinion after my claim is filed? You may change doctors as long as your claim manager approves it. Use the Change of Attending Physician form. If you wish to get a second medical opinion — about your treatment or upcoming surgery, for example — call your claim manager for approval. If the accident was my fault, are my medical bills covered? Yes. You may receive benefits regardless of who was at fault. If my claim is closed and my injury worsens, may I apply to reopen my claim? Yes. You and your doctor may apply to reopen your claim if there is objective medical evidence (physical evidence your doctor can measure) that your medical condition is a result of the same injury and that it has worsened since the claim closed. What if I disagree with an L&I decision and want to protest? If you disagree with an L&I decision as your claim is being processed, you, your employer and your doctor all have the right to protest. Read protest instructions. What if I live or move out of state? Your rights, benefits and responsibilities for your claim will remain the same. Washington laws will always apply to your claim regardless of where you live. Many doctors and providers don't accept workers' compensation cases. Find a Doctor in your area.

Know how to check the status of your claim.
	We know that many injured workers want to check on the progress of their claim as decisions about eligibility and benefits are made. You can do this in a number of ways. View my claim information online.
Questions workers have: How can I get claim information over the phone? Call 1-800-831-5227 for a fast, automated update on the status of your claim in English or Spanish (en Español). Call 1-800-547-8367 for a customer service representative. Spanish (en Español) speaking staff or translation service available. Call 360-902-5797 for hearing/speech impaired TDD service. May I call my claim manager? Your claim manager's phone number is located on all correspondence. You may also contact your local L&I office and ask for a "48-hour phone referral." Your claim manager should call you within 48 hours. How do I authorize someone else to access my claim information? Complete the Authorization to Release Claim Information form, sign it, and mail to your claim manager. Give an authorized delegate access to your claim information online. You may choose to authorize other people to have online access to your claim. These may include family members, union representatives or anyone you choose. These authorized delegates will need to complete their own registration for the Claim & Account Center as an Authorized Delegate and request access to your information. You will then be notified by e-mail and you will need to log onto the Claim & Account Center and click on 'My Profile' to act on their request. They won't get access until you approve them. Updating information: How do I let L&I know if my address, doctor or other information changes? Please let us know right away, so your claim isn't delayed. You can register to use the secure Claim & Account Center to update your address and phone number online or you can mail or fax the address change request to your claim manager. For doctor changes, use the Change of Attending Physician form.

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries' (L&I) web site does not properly display because JavaScript is disabled or not supported in your browser.The following links may help you navigate the L&I web site:

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