OSHA Safety Regulations and Washington State Workers' Compensation

Suffering an injury at work is a stressful and often traumatic experience. It may be difficult to navigate the legal process as you pursue the compensation to which you are entitled. The lawyers of Phillips & Webster are experts in Washington State workers' compensation law. Your claim deserves the attention of our experienced attorneys. For a free evaluation of your workers' compensation claim, contact the law firm of Phillips & Webster today.

• Washington State's Operational Status Agreement with OSHA
• Employer Responsibility to Provide a Safe Workplace
• Filing a Washington Workers' Compensation Claim
• Independent Contractors and Construction Accidents

Washington State's Operational Status Agreement with OSHA

States are permitted to maintain their own health and safety standards for working conditions independently of OSHA if they have an Operational Status Agreement which defers these responsibilities to the state's Department of Labor. Because Washington is one such state, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries enforces workplace safety in Washington, not OSHA. The worker protection provided by the state must be at least as effective as the OSHA regulations. This means that Washington has stricter standards for worker safety and health than are set forth by OSHA.

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Employer Responsibility to Provide a Safe Workplace

Employers are required by law to protect the safety and health of their employees in several ways. The workplace should be built with safety standards in mind and be free of recognized hazards, including unsafe tools and equipment. Chemicals and biological agents should be carefully monitored and controlled. The employer must provide the means necessary for employees to do their jobs safely and prohibit employees from entering areas unsafe to their health. Moreover, employers are responsible for establishing and enforcing effective safety codes to ensure a healthy work environment.

Even with these precautions designed to protect workers, many employers fail to follow the regulations set forth by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Workers' compensation claim lawyers R. Glenn Phillips and Autumn J. Countryman uphold the rights of workers by taking legal action against employers who fail to protect the health of their workers due to negligence, malice, or greed.

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Filing a Washington Workers' Compensation Claim

Within one year of the date of your injury, you must submit your claim application to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Workers' compensation law states a claim should be accompanied by an accident report with information about your injury, employer, wages, diagnosis, treatment, and other information. Discuss your intent to file a claim with your doctor. He or she will fill out the necessary paperwork and file your claim with the state. You will then be assigned a claim manager who will process your claim. In Washington, workers' compensation is no-fault, meaning a claim can be filed even if the worker is at fault for the accident. A workers' compensation attorney can help file your claim and recover comprehensive damages for your injury. If your claim has been rejected, our lawyers can help you through the process and ensure your injury is given the legal attention it deserves.

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Independent Contractors and Construction Accidents

Independent contractors working in Washington State are covered by different workers' compensation laws. Many independent contractors are actually employees and are therefore entitled to workers' compensation if they suffered injuries due to unsafe safe working conditions. If you are an independent contractor who has been injured, it is likely that you still have some legal recourse to compensation for your medical bills. Consult with an attorney at Phillips & Webster, a Washington firm skilled in state workers' compensation law.

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Contact a Washington Workers' Compensation Attorney

Because of the Operational Status Agreement between Washington and OSHA, filing a state workers' compensation claim can be confusing. Allow the legal experts of Phillips & Webster to assist you in processing your claim. Contact us with information about your claim today.

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