Know your rights

You, your employer and your doctor all have the right to protest any decision made about your claim. You may also appeal directly to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA).

We must receive a written protest within 60 calendar days of the date the decision was received (15 days for decisions about vocational benefits). If we do not receive a written protest by this time, the decision is final.

Protesting an L&I Decision

To protest a decision:

  1. Find the name of your claim manager on your L&I correspondence.
  2. 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
  1. Write your name and L&I claim number on all pages of the written protest.
  2. 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.

Appealing an L&I Decision

Workers, employers, and attending medical providers who disagree with a decision may appeal to the BIIA. 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:

  • Employee’s name and claim number (include 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) why you disagree with the decision
  • Your name, mailing address and phone 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.

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 and give us an opportunity to reconsider our original decision. If we do not 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.

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