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Work Injury Lawyer Near Me

Work injuries have the potential to change life forever. These physically, emotionally, and financially damaging incidents happen suddenly, leaving workers reeling with the unanswered question of what to do next. The steps you take following a work injury can make a difference in your recovery.

The Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey team is recognized for their vast experience and dedication in helping change the laws to benefit injured workers. Our work injury lawyer near me law firm will walk alongside you through the legal process, taking the lead to pursue the compensation owed to you while you focus on recovery. Schedule a free consultation with an Olympia personal injury lawyer with experience in work injury who will explore every option available for recovery.

Why Choose Us

As work injury attorneys, the members of our team have invested their time and talents into shaping the laws that impact injured workers. As legal groundbreakers in workplace injury law, Attorney Dustin Daily previously served as Assistant Attorney General for Washington State, focusing on third-party and workers’ compensation claims. Attorney Kathryn Potvin’s legal career brought changes at the Supreme Court level in Nevada, positively impacting the laws that govern injury and workers’ compensation claims, then transitioning her legal experience to Washington State over two decades ago. 

Together, our work injury lawyers have tackled insurmountable odds head-on since 1980, demonstrating that injured workers have the right to fair compensation under the law. One of the most significant rewards of our work is seeing our clients overcome the obstacles that accompany a work injury and live happier and healthier lives. We value the work our clients perform each day and honor their dedication by working as hard for them and aiming for the highest financial potential their claim offers. 

Our team provides legal services in English and Spanish to make every client feel comfortable, seen, and heard throughout the legal process. Furthermore, we represent personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. Financial stress should never stand in the way of receiving exceptional legal representation. Additionally, we offer emergency weekend appointments, understanding that injuries can strike at any time. 

How an Olympia, WA Work Injury Attorney Can Help You

We want to do the heavy legal lifting while you focus on healing. Immediately documenting a work injury in Olympia, WA, is vital to your claim. Simultaneously, concentrating on medical care and the legal implications of a work injury is overwhelming. Our team will focus on uncovering the details of an injury for you to document the events surrounding your injury. A work injury attorney with Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey can offer these services as well as those listed below:

  • Determining what type of claim you need to file
  • Ensuring the documentation supports your claim
  • Filing legal actions to secure evidence that is subject to erasure, deletion, or not readily available to the public
  • Serving as a mediator between you and the insurance company to protect your claim
  • Providing a comprehensive evaluation of your injuries to account for potential future medical care and accommodations
  • Submitting all paperwork within the legal time limits
  • Striving to negotiate the maximum settlement available for your damages

We will relentlessly pursue your claim to reach a fair settlement for your damages. When settling your claim with the insurance company is not possible, we will fight for you in court. Our goal is to secure your financial recovery promptly. However, we are willing to go the distance. As part of the team, we work to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions that benefit you most.

What Type of Claim to File for a Work Injury in Olympia, WA

Our work injury attorneys can represent your workplace injury in a workers’ compensation claim, third-party claim, or both. How your injuries occur will determine what type of claim to file. 

Injuries or illnesses resulting from your work for an employer or by a co-worker will likely fall under workers’ compensation claims. A workers’ compensation attorney in Olympia, WA, with our firm will walk you through the claim process to help secure financial recovery for your losses. Workers’ compensation claims may cover:

Recovering these benefits can be complex, depending on your ability to return to work and the work you can perform after an injury. While insurance companies are responsible for covering these claims, filing a claim is not always straightforward. We seek to ensure you receive fair treatment throughout the process. Our team can also help you avoid critical mistakes that can worsen workplace injuries and negatively impact your compensation. 

Workers’ Compensation Claims for First Responders

Our Olympia, WA, first responders confront traumatic events daily. Over time, the emotional impact of these events can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the nature of this work. The most recent laws in Washington State address the cumulative psychological traumas a first responder may develop, recognized as occupational diseases.

Filing a workers’ compensation claim for PTSD requires a legal understanding of PTSD resulting from an injury versus PTSD developing as a result of the occupation. We recommend speaking with a first responder & PTSD lawyer in Olympia with our firm to protect your injuries before scheduling a medical evaluation. Our in-depth and knowledgeable legal approach strives to help you file a compelling claim to secure the compensation you deserve. 

Third-Party Claims for Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from the actions of someone other than your employer or a co-worker require you to file a claim against a third party. To file a claim, it is necessary to prove that the other party’s negligence is the cause of your damages, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Third-party claims may include:

  • Delivery driver accidents caused by another driver or vehicle defect
  • Logging injuries due to defective machinery, unsafe conditions at a work site due to premises liability, or other negligent acts by an individual or company other than an employer
  • Injuries to machine operators resulting from improper maintenance by a third party or a manufacturer’s defect
  • Injuries to subcontractors resulting from a general contractor’s negligence
  • Manufacturing injuries caused by faulty equipment or manufacturer design or defects 
  • Work injuries sustained on an off-site property
  • Construction injuries resulting from a property owner’s negligence
  • Dog or animal bites sustained while working off-site or during a work delivery

This list of third-party negligence claims is incomplete. In many cases, filing a third-party claim must accompany a workers’ compensation claim. Because it is necessary to reimburse L&I for the damages they cover under workers’ compensation when you settle a third-party claim, the sound legal guidance our work injury lawyers offer can benefit you, helping to maximize your claim and protect your rights by filing critical documentation.

Potential Damages in a Work Injury Third-Party Claim

Filing a third-party claim allows you to seek additional compensation not available under workers’ compensation. State laws determine the type of claim you can file for a workplace injury. When possible, filing a third-party claim can provide compensation for these damages in addition to those workers’ compensation covers:

  • Future medical costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment and quality of life

Covering ongoing medical care through a workers’ compensation claim may be possible. However, advocating for these damages is essential in both claims. A work injury lawyer will provide a comprehensive evaluation to account for inflation, out-of-pocket expenses, and other variables impacting future medical care. 

Steps to Take After a Work Injury Occurs

The moments following a workplace accident are often chaotic. Any injury requires an immediate response to support a workers’ compensation or third-party claim. Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey shares these secrets about filing a claim from a workers’ comp lawyer and the steps to take to support your rights: 

  • Get immediate medical care to document the cause of your injury
  • If it is physically and medically safe, document the accident scene through photos 
  • Ask for the name and contact information of accident witnesses
  • Inform your employer about the accident
  • Exchange driver and contact information if the injuries occur from a motor vehicle accident
  • Get a copy of the accident report
  • Continue with medical care and treatment until a doctor releases you
  • Do not post about the accident on social media, and refrain from social media use during a pending claim

Our work injury lawyers understand the real-life consequences injured workers face. Our focus is to minimize the impact of a work injury on you and your family. Our team will work with you to identify additional steps to take to document your injury, depending on the nature of the incident impacting you. 

Types of Olympia Work Injuries We Represent

Olympia, WA, boasts a thriving economy, with surrounding cities following its lead. The trucking industry, aerospace manufacturing facilities, and construction work are only a few opportunities for workers in the area. The work injury lawyers with our firm want to help you overcome the impact of a work injury no matter the job you perform and the type of injury you experience. Common work injuries in Olympia include: 

  • Broken bones
  • Organ damage
  • Back and spinal injuries
  • Burns 
  • Crush injuries 
  • Amputation
  • Disfigurement
  • Partial or full paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Representing clients over the years during life’s unimaginable moments emphasizes the significance of our work and dedication. Our greatest reward is watching clients who have lost hope find purpose and recovery through the legal help we offer. We offer these reviews to allow our clients to share about our compassion and service. At the end of every successful claim is an individual who deserves the right to financial, physical, and emotional support. 

Work Injuries Resulting in Wrongful Death

One devastating phone call can change your family’s reality. Losing a loved one to a work injury leaves an unfillable void in your life. It can strip your family’s financial security away. No amount of money replaces your loss or heals your suffering. 

A work injury attorney with experience in wrongful death cases in Olympia, WA, can compassionately account for your loved one’s loss, relentlessly demanding the compensation owed to you. In times of sorrow, vulnerable families often lose significant income potential because fighting a legal battle feels impossible. Working with a member of our team ensures you will not face these challenging moments alone.

It is still up to you to demonstrate that negligence is the cause of your loved one’s death. Civil cases against an at-fault party differ from criminal cases. A criminal case or conviction of a crime is not necessary to pursue a civil action for financial recovery. 

Time Limits for Filing a Work Injury Claim in Olympia, WA

How long you have to file a claim depends on the type of injury and who is responsible for your damages. It is always best to speak with a work injury attorney as soon as possible because time limits vary. General time limits to file a work injury claim in Olympia, WA,  include the following:

  • One year to file a Report of Industrial Injury
  • Two years to file an occupational disease claim once you receive notice that a disease exists, and you may legally file a claim for disability
  • Three years to file a third-party claim due to negligence or two years if the act is intentional
  • Three years from the date of death resulting from a workplace injury

Reach out to our team even if you feel the statute of limitations for filing a claim has ended. We can sort through complex laws and time limits to get you the help you deserve when time allows. We take the guesswork out of work injury compensation.

Contact an Olympia, WA, Work Injury Attorney Near Me

The Putnam Lieb Potvin Dailey team wants to hear from you about a work injury impacting your life. We are passionate about helping our community recover. Schedule a free consultation by calling 360-244-4045 or filling out our online form.