When you are involved in a car accident, dealing with the aftermath can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to repairs. A common question many individuals have is whether they are obliged to take their car to a repair shop recommended by the at-fault insurance company. The simple answer is no. At Washington Law Center, we advocate for your rights and provide the necessary guidance to navigate these situations with your best interest in mind. Unfortunately, the at-fault insurance company rarely has that same interest in mind.    The Myth of Obligatory Repairs at Insurance Reco ..read more

5 Mistakes to Avoid During Your Personal Injury Claim Treatment   When navigating the aftermath of a personal injury, particularly those stemming from car accidents, the steps you take—or fail to take—will significantly influence the outcome of your claim. At Washington Law Center, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge needed to secure the compensation you rightfully deserve. Below, we outline critical mistakes to avoid during your treatment process to strengthen your personal injury claim.   Injury Claim Treatment Mistake #1: Delaying Medical Treatment   Delaying medic ..read more

Catastrophic Industrial Injury Benefits in Washington Include: Artificial Eyes pursuant to RCW 51.36.020(2) and (3) Prosthetics and Limb Replacements pursuant to RCW 51.36.020(2) and (3) Tooth Restoration and Implants pursuant to RCW 51.36.020(3) Eyeglasses and Lenses Restored or Replaced Pursuant to RCW 51.36.020(4) Hearing Aids pursuant to RCW 51.36.020(4) Crutches, Braces, Belts, Casts and any Mechanical Appliance or Equipment pursuant to RCW 51.36.020(5)(a) Reasonable Travel Expenses to Obtain or Replace Medical Aid Devices or to Obtain Hospital Care or Services pursuant to RCW 51.36.02 ..read more

The statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse in Washington is much broader than one would expect. Essentially, there is no definable time limitation when it comes to childhood sexual abuse cases in Washington State. The Washington legislature in RCW 4.16.340 increased the time for a victim to bring a cause of action.  For legal action against the abuser, after the victim of childhood sexual abuse turns 18, the case must be executed “within three years of the time that the act caused the injury for which the claim is brought.” Therefore, even if a victim remembers the ..read more

In a momentous ruling dated September 7, 2023, Wolf v. State, the Supreme Court of Washington State provided pivotal clarity on the concept of what starts the statute of limitations on a sexual abuse claim. The court held that in a case against an entity, such as the State, the statute of limitations on a childhood sexual abuse case does not begin to run until the victim knows his or her injuries were caused by such entity’s negligence.  Prior to this decision, under RCW 4.16.340, it was understood that a victim of childhood sexual abuse had three years from the time they connected the a ..read more

Even if your doctor has formally recommended a surgery, getting authorization from L&I can be challenging for injured workers in Washington. This is not only frustrating, but the delay in your much-needed medical treatment may pose a harmful risk. Spencer Parr, Partner at Washington Law Center, has provided some clear and actionable steps to help navigate this situation. Utilize Any Secondary Insurance If you have a secondary insurance plan, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield or any other medical insurance, injured workers should use that insurance to get the recommended surgery if L&I ..read more

Many injured workers, especially those residing out of state, encounter medical providers who are unfamiliar with Washington state’s workers’ compensation rules so it is essential to understand your rights when it comes to medical bills related to your care. Washington State’s Medical Treatment Fee Schedule All medical expenses related to your work injury should be covered under your workers’ compensation claim. That said, the state of Washington has a fee schedule. This means that regardless of the specific medical treatment needed in relation to your work injury, all expenses are paid acc ..read more

Understanding Subsection 4 of RCW 51.36.070 Under the new legislation, injured workers in Washington State now have several important rights when it comes to recording their IME exams: Subsection 4(a) – Right to Record the IME Exam   This grants injured workers the right to record audio/video during their IME exam. This provision aims to provide an opportunity for the injured worker to review and understand the examination later.    Subsection 4(b) – Notice Requirement   Before an injured worker can record their exam, the injured worker or their representative must give a ..read more

May an Injured Worker Audio or Video Record an IME Exam? Yes. Pursuant to RCW 51.36.070(4), effective in law as of July 23, 2023, an injured worker may audio or video record an IME examination if the worker has given not less than seven calendar days of notice to the Independent Medical Exam scheduling entity. Additional rules also apply to audio and video recording IME exams in Washington state. These include: 1. That the worker must produce a copy of the recording within 14 days of a request for same so long as the IME examiner has filed a finalized written IME report. 2. The worker is respo ..read more

What is the 2023-2024 Cost of Living Adjustment in Washington State? Washington State’s Statutory Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2023-2024 provides a 2% increase.  The increase is according to the Employment Security Department’s findings that the average annual wage in Washington State increased from $82,508 in 2021 to $84,167.00 in 2022. This means, under the Industrial Insurance Act (Title 51, RCW), effective July 1, 2023, workers’ compensation benefits will increase 2% for those entitled to time loss, pension and loss of earning power (LEP) benefits in industrial injury and occu ..read more