You, your worker, the worker's provider, and a retrospective rating group all have the right to protest any decision made about a claim. You may also appeal directly to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals.
We must receive a written protest within 60 calendar days of the date you receive the decision (15 days for decisions about vocational benefits). If we do not receive a written protest within this time, the decision is final.
To protest a decision:
- Find the name of your claim manager on your L&I correspondence.
- Write a letter to the claim manager stating why you disagree with a decision. Include in the letter:
- The nature or type and date of L&I decision.
- Reminder: this must be within 60 days.
- If L&I has closed your claim, include information from your doctor or health-care provider:
- An outline of your current medical condition
- A description of your treatment program and current prognosis
- Write your name and L&I claim number on all pages of the written protest.
- Send your letter of protest, either online through Claim & Account Center, or by mail:
Claims Section
Department of Labor & Industries
P.O. Box 44291
Olympia, WA 98504-4291
If your protest is timely, L&I will issue another decision that modifies, reverses or reaffirms the original decision. If you disagree with the decision, you may appeal to the BIIA.
Workers, employers, and attending medical providers who disagree with a decision may submit an appeal to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals. The decision becomes final if your written appeal is not received within the following legal time limits from the date you received the decision:
- 60 days to appeal a claim decision or a payment decision.
- 20 days for providers to appeal a billing decision that reduces the amount paid, or demands repayment.
Your appeal should include the following:
- Worker's name and claim number (make sure this information is on every page)
- Date of the L&I decision or order you are appealing
- Description of the L&I decision or order you are appealing
- Reason(s) you disagree with the decision
- Your name, mailing address and telephone number
- City in which you would like the proceedings to take place
- Supporting information
Submitting your appeal
You can submit your appeal online, by mail or in person.
Online:
By mail:
Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals
PO Box 42401
Olympia, WA 98504-2401
In person:
Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals
2430 Chandler Court SW
Olympia, WA 98504
You may appeal directly to the BIIA without first protesting to L&I. After receiving your appeal, the board will notify us to give us an opportunity to reconsider our original decision. If we decide not to reconsider our decision, the board will schedule a hearing for your appeal.
If you have further questions regarding the appeal process, contact the BIIA at 360-753-6823 or 1-800-442-0447.