Filing Your Claim

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Filing Your Claim	en español

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. A First Payment Letter. A copy of an information pamphlet, Getting Back to Work: It's Your Job and Your Future (F200‑001‑000). A copy of Workers' Guide to Industrial Insurance Benefits (F242‑104‑000). Legal documents called Notices of Decision. Correspondence asking for more information, if needed. If you are receiving time‑loss compensation, you will also receive a Worker Verification Form (F242‑052‑000). What paperwork can I expect to receive from my self‑insured employer? Designated copy of the Self Insurer Accident Report (SIF-2) (pink copy). Current copy of L&I's pamphlet A Guide to Industrial Insurance Benefits for Employees of Self-Insured Businesses (F207‑085‑000). The name, address, and phone number of the person or organization handling your claim. 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. Address changes at L&I must be made in writing via fax or mail and include your claim number and authorizing signature. You can also update your information in the Claim & Account Center. If your employer is self‑insured, send a written notification to both L&I and your employer or their third-party administrator (TPA). 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. A Washington worker can file a claim in Washington even if the injury occurs out of state. You may file claims in both Washington State and in the state or country in which you were injured but any benefits you receive from another state will be credited against any benefits to which you may be eligible from L&I. Notify L&I if you filed a claim in another state or country.
Did you know? Clearly filling out the accident report form and explaining your injury will reduce delays and help ensure you get all the benefits to which you are entitled.

Injured Out of State.
	A Washington worker can file a claim in Washington even if the injury occurs out of state. You may file a claim in both Washington State and in the state or country in which you were injured, but any benefits you receive from another state will be credited against any benefits to which you may be eligible from L&I.
Questions workers have: How do I know if I am a Washington worker? You are considered a worker of whatever state your employer has a place of business, if you regularly work at or from that place of business. If your employer has a place of business in Washington and you regularly work at or from that place of business, you are a Washington worker. If your employer's place of business is in another state other than Washington and you regularly work at or from that place of business, you are considered a worker of the state that place of business is located, and you aren't a Washington worker. What if I don't regularly work in a state my employer has a place of business? If your employer doesn't have a place of business in the state where you work, you are considered a worker of the state you reside, if you work a substantial amount of your time in the state where you reside. If your home is in Washington you work a substantial amount of your time in Washington, you are a Washington worker. If you home is in another state and you work a substantial amount of your time in that state, then you are considered a worker in the state where you reside, and you aren't a Washington worker. What if I don't work either in a state where my employer has a place of business nor in the state I reside, or what if I work outside the United States? If your employer has no business location in the state you work, and you don't live in the state you work, then you will be a Washington worker only if your contract of hire was made in the state of Washington.

Understand your rights as an injured worker.
	Workers who are injured on the job and file a claim with L&I have rights to: Protection against discrimination for filing a claim. Protest L&I decisions. Change doctors. 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 (F245‑037‑000). 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 disagree with a decision made by my self‑insured employer? Dispute a decision your self-insured employer has made on your claim by writing to the Self-Insurance Section at L&I. 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.

For self-insured claims only the following information can be found:

Documents received by L&I:
- This isn't a complete copy of the file.
- For a complete copy of your file, contact your self‑insured employer.
Contact information for your employer or their representative and for your L&I claim manager.

About a third of all Washington employees work for self-insured employers.

Questions workers have:

How can I get claim information over the phone?

May I call my claim manager?

How do I authorize someone else to access my claim information?

Updating information: How do I let L&I know if my address, doctor or other information changes?