Workers’ compensation basics

Even under the safest circumstances, on-the-job accidents and injuries happen. Learn how workers’ compensation protects you when the unforeseen occurs.

What should you know about workers’ compensation?

No one ever plans to get hurt on the job. But even under the safest circumstances, accidents and injuries can happen. Fortunately, workers’ compensation insurance protects you (and your employer) when the unforeseen occurs. After all, the last things you need to worry about when you’re hurt are medical expenses and lost wages.

If you qualify for workers’ compensation, you may know the basics. But often, the topic is just another chapter in the employee handbook and a hazy memory from your onboarding process. It might not be on your radar — until something happens.

Don’t wait until a slip, trip or fall puts you out of commission. The more you know about workers’ compensation, the more likely you are to get the timely medical care you need to get back in action.

How does workers’ compensation insurance work?

In a nutshell, if you are hurt or have an illness that’s related to your job, you can file a claim for compensation. If your claim is approved, workers’ compensation will cover medical expenses and pay a portion of lost wages if you’re unable to work or need to modify your work duties.

Here are a few facts about workers’ comp you should know:

• Workers’ compensation is a state-regulated insurance system. In Washington, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is responsible for the state’s workers’ compensation insurance program.
• Workers’ compensation is required for every employee in Washington state, including part-time workers.
• Your employer may pay into L&I’s Washington State Fund for coverage, or they may be self-insured, which means they pay for workers’ comp benefits themselves.
• You can receive workers’ compensation, regardless of who is at fault for your injury or illness.
• When you file a workers’ comp claim, it is illegal for your employer to take any retaliatory actions against you. You can’t be fired, demoted or written up because of your claim.
• There are deadlines for filing claims. To be eligible for benefits in Washington state, you must submit a claim within one year of your injury or within two years of when a work-related illness was diagnosed, but the sooner you report an injury or illness, the better, if you are hoping to use workers’ compensation to cover your recovery process.

What is considered a workers’ compensation injury?

Whether you work on a construction site or do your heavy lifting at a computer, when an injury or illness is related to your job, it’s probably covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

For example, if you hurt your back lifting a heavy box or develop tendonitis from operating vibrating tools, you can file a claim. Likewise, if you have an accident while traveling for business or running a work-related errand, you’re also eligible for coverage.

Workplace injuries can run the gamut. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Slips, trips and falls. Slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims. Hazards can be underfoot anywhere in the workplace, from wet or uneven floors to slippery outdoor surfaces. Learn more about common workplace slips and falls.
• Too much pressure on your body can cause muscle injuries, ligament strain and other soft-tissue damage. Low-back injuries from overexertion are especially common. Typical culprits of these injuries include improper lifting technique, lifting heavy objects and awkward twisting or bending.
• Repetitive stress. From computer mouse clicks to factory-line microtasks, repetitive motion can pull or force muscles beyond their normal range. Over time, these motions can cause sometimes debilitating damage to your wrists, hands, shoulders and neck.
• Vehicle accidents. Driving on the job can be hazardous, especially in the Pacific Northwest’s soggy conditions. Find out about common injuries and how workers’ compensation fits in the mix when you have a work-related vehicle accident.
• Being struck by (or colliding with) an object. Objects that fall, roll, fly, slide, slip and swing can cause hand injuries, head trauma, stress fractures and more. While most of these injuries involve heavy equipment, an item that falls from an office shelf can also cause serious damage.
• Falls from a height. Falls from ladders, roofs or other heights can result in some of the most serious workplace injuries. While elevated falls occur most often in the construction industry, a simple task like changing a light bulb can result in a serious injury.

Don’t ignore it. Untreated injuries can progress over time. Even a seemingly minor mishap can have lasting consequences.

What types of injuries are not considered workers’ comp injuries?

While most work injuries are covered by workers’ comp, there are exceptions. Employees can be denied compensation for several reasons, including:

• Injuries caused by intoxication or drugs.
• Self-inflicted injuries.
• Injuries from a fight started by the employee.
• Injuries resulting from violation of company policy.
• Felony-related injuries.
• Injuries an employee suffers away from their job.
• Injuries claimed after an employee is terminated.
• Injuries to an independent contractor.

What benefits are available from workers’ compensation?

Workers’ compensation benefits are based on the type and severity or your injury or illness. When you file a claim, you may qualify for:

• Medical services, including health care providers, hospital, surgical, pharmacy and other necessary health services.
• Some travel expenses for medical appointments or procedures.
• Replacement income if you are unable to work due to your work-related illness or injury.
• Return-to-work programs designed to return workers safely to light duty or transitional work or modify jobs.
• Vocational rehabilitation to help employees explore return-to-work options or retrain for other work opportunities.
• Permanent disability awards in the case of partial or total disability.
• Survivor benefits for surviving spouse and eligible dependent children.
• Structured settlement agreements to resolve a claim.

A smoother road to recovery: Research shows that safely getting back to work is essential for recovery. Light or transitional work can help speed healing, keep skills sharp and provide important social connections.

What should I do if I’m injured at work?

The step-by-step process for reporting your injury or illness and filing a claim can vary from employer to employer. But there are two critical steps you should take right away.

1. Tell your supervisor about your work-related injury or illness as soon as possible — even if it’s minor. You’ll need to provide the date of the injury, type of injury and how it occurred.
2. Seek immediate medical care. To begin a claim, you must have a health care provider assess your injury or condition and complete the appropriate form. You may visit any medical provider for initial assessment and treatment. For follow-up care, you must see an L&I-authorized medical provider, such as MultiCare Occupational Medicine.

If you’re not sure what to expect if you get hurt at work — or what’s expected of you— ask your supervisor or HR personnel. They can provide you with specific guidelines that explain:

• What steps to take if you are injured while on the job.
• What’s covered by workers’ comp.
• What you are responsible for throughout the claim process, and the role and responsibilities of your employer and the insurance provider.
• Your company’s return-to-work and/or transitional work policies, including guidance on light and modified work programs.

How can MultiCare Occupational Medicine help?

The experts at MultiCare Occupational Medicine are solely focused on occupational medicine, so we know what’s most important to you — keeping you safe, healthy and on the job.

Our team of providers and staff are dedicated to treating work-related injuries and illnesses and helping our patients recover and return to work (or light duty) as soon as safely possible. We collaborate with everyone involved in a workers’ compensation claim — Labor & Industries, self-insured carriers, third-party administrators and especially our patients and their employers.

When you partner with us, you have access to any of our Occupational Medicine clinics. And if you need care after hours or during weekends for a minor workplace injury, our Indigo Health urgent care clinics are available 8am to 8pm every day. Our friendly providers will assess your injury and seamlessly coordinate your care with our MultiCare’s Occupational Medicine providers.

If you need additional care, MultiCare Occupational Medicine is connected to all the resources of MultiCare Health System, including its team of orthopedic and rehabilitation specialists.

For care you can count on, find a MultiCare Occupational Medicine location near you.