People's Justice

Washington · Work site injury: what can I do?

Work site injury: what can I do?

See If You Qualify

Free · No obligation · About 2 minutes

Updated

01 · Your filing deadline

What is the deadline in Washington?

Washington: 3 years from injury for civil lawsuits; L&I workers' comp claim within 1 year; immediate report to L&I required A lawyer can confirm yours.

3 years (civil lawsuit); L&I claim within 1 year of injury

Deadlines vary; a lawyer can confirm yours. An older diagnosis or a past filing window does not, by itself, establish whether you have a claim.

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A lawyer can check which filing rules apply to your circumstances.

02 · Where cases are heard

Where would my case be heard?

Washington State has unique workers' comp through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) — all workers' comp is state-administered; third-party civil lawsuits against GCs, property owners, and equipment manufacturers remain available with a 3-year statute of limitations; Washington has a strict Department of Labor and Industries safety enforcement regime

Washington State has a state-administered workers' compensation system through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Workers do not file with their employer's private insurer — they file directly with L&I. Washington also has its own Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) — a state OSHA plan approved by federal OSHA. WISHA (Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act) governs construction safety. DOSH/WISHA inspection records are the primary regulatory evidence in Washington construction accident civil litigation. Washington applies pure comparative fault. Seattle's massive construction market — high-rise residential towers, the Seattle Sound Transit light rail expansion, and commercial development — creates substantial scaffold, crane, and falling object accident volume. WA Superior Courts handle civil construction accident claims.

How this works nationally

For the overall process and updates, read the Work site injury: what can I do? overview. This page covers the local information available for Washington.

What happens when I check?

You answer a few short questions about what happened. If you send them, your answers are kept on file. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you. People's Justice is not a law firm.

Live in Washington? Read what applies in your state.

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