Category Archives: Workers Compensation

Re-Opening a Worker’s Compensation Claim: Who Pays?

June 15, 2017Workers CompensationCentralia, Injury Attorneys, Olympia, Workers CompensationPeter Abbarno

Who pays to re-open a Worker’s Compensation Injury Claim?

When a Worker’s Compensation Claim has been closed by the Department of Labor and Industries or self-insurer by written order and more than sixty (60) days has passed, the injured workers generally has seven (7) years to file a re-opening application for full benefits. Submission of a formal “application to reopen claim for aggravation of condition” form # F 242-079-000 must be completed by a treating medical provider.

The Department or self-insurer is responsible for customary charges for examinations, diagnostic studies, and determining whether or not time-loss is payable regardless of the final action taken on the reopening application. Reopening applications should be submitted immediately.

When reopening is granted, the department or self-insurer can pay time loss and treatment benefits only for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days prior to date the application is received by the department or self-insurer. Necessary treatment should not be deferred pending a department or self-insurer adjudication decision.

However, should reopening be denied treatment costs become the financial responsibility of the worker. Therefore, the injured worker should be sure to have objective medical evidence of a worsening of the injury since the last date of claim closure.

If you or someone you know was injured at work, contact Peter Abbarno and the injury attorneys with Althauser Rayan Abbarno for a FREE injury consultation in Centralia or Olympia by calling (360) 736-1301.

LewisTalk.com Article: Althauser Rayan Abbarno is there when and where you need!

December 15, 2016Personal Injury, Workers CompensationAccident, Automobile, Centralia, Chehalis, Collision, Olympia, Personal Injury, Workers CompensationPeter Abbarno

Injured? Althauser Rayan Abbarno is There When and Where You Need!

Can you re-open a closed workers compensation claim?

March 22, 2016Uncategorized, Workers CompensationPeter Abbarno

Can a workers compensation claim be reopened? Yes. If a claim has been closed less than 60 days, the appropriate action is to protest or appeal the closing order. If it has been more than 60 days, a doctor must certify that there is objective evidence (x-ray, MRI, etc) of a worsening of the medical condition caused by the industrial injury. Be aware- after seven (7) years the claim may not be re-opened for all benefits.

Continue reading Can you re-open a closed workers compensation claim? →

Don’t let your Claim close prematurely! Appeal!

March 16, 2016Workers CompensationPeter Abbarno

Don’t let the Department of Labor & Industries prematurely close your workers compensation claim!! If you’ve been injured at work, you only have a limited time to appeal an order terminating your benefits. An injured worker recently came to our office with a “closing” letter in hand and metal screws still in her ankle after surgery (actual x-ray). The Department wanted to close her claim and te…rminate her benefits before even removing the metal screws and hardware from her body. Our injury team got to work immediately, successfully appealed the order, and got her the necessary medical care, treatment, and benefits she deserved. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

If you’ve been injured at work, call Peter Abbarno for a free injury consultation at (360) 736-1301 or visit www.CentraliaLaw.com. We offer free injury consultations in Olympia and Centralia and represent clients throughout southwest Washington including, Olympia, Aberdeen, Montesano, Elma, Rochester, Tumwater, Centralia, Chehalis, Morton, Kelso, and Longview.

Workplace Hearing Loss?

February 24, 2016Workers CompensationPeter Abbarno

Exposure to noise greater than 85 decibels (dB) can cause permanent hearing loss. Farmer? Tractors operate at greater than 85 decibles. Logger? A chainsaw operates at greater than 85 decibles. Rockstar? Your music is likely louder than 85 decibles. Workplace hearing loss can be accepted as an injury (if sudden) or an occupational disease (if over time). If you experienced hearing loss due to workplace noise, you may be eligible for medical treatment and financial compensation! For a free injury consultation, contact Peter Abbarno at (360) 736-1301. To learn more about hearing loss prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a brochure at www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-175/pdfs/2007-175.pdf

Independent Medical Exam (IME)? Anything but independent. . .

February 16, 2016Workers CompensationCentralia, Chehalis, Injury, Lewis County, Thurston County, Workers CompensationPeter Abbarno

Are you worried about an upcoming “Independent” Medical Exam? There is nothing independent about an IME!!

An Independent Medical Exam can derail a worker’s medical treatment, financial benefits, and result in premature claim closure! An IME is often scheduled by a Self Insured Employer or the Department of Labor and Industries when the conditions of a claim are disputed, treatment of a condition is disputed, restrictions due to the conditions are disputed, or the Employer or Department of Labor and Industries want to close a claim by finding the condition has reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and requires no more treatment. A claim closing order could result in the termination of all benefits.

Once the report from the IME has been released, the injured worker and the worker’s attending physician has the right dispute the findings and conclusions of the Independent Medical Examiner. It is important to keep an eye on the “clock” since an order must be appealed within 60 days.

Don’t let this happen to your claim. If you’ve had a workplace injury, contact Peter Abbarno at Althauser Rayan Abbarno for a FREE consultation by calling (360) 736-1301. Our offices are conveniently located in Downtown Centralia and Olympia and we represent injured workers throughout Washington State, including Thurston County, Lewis County, Cowlitz County, Grays Harbor County, and Pacific County.

Eligible for Workers Compensation?

February 16, 2016Workers CompensationPeter Abbarno

Are you eligible for Workers Compensation benefits? Former NFL cornerback Courtney Robinson was denied benefits when he was injured at Seattle Seahawks minicamp! The Court found an Employee-Employer relationship only exists where (1) the employer has the right to control the employee’s physical conduct in the performance of duties and (2) there is mutual consent to an employment relationship. The claim was denied because Minicamp was a tryout- not mutual consent! If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, contact Peter Abbarno for a free injury consultation at (360) 736-1301. We represent injured workers in Thurston County, Lewis County, Cowlitz County, Grays Harbor County, Pacific County, and throughout Washington State. Our offices are conveniently located in Olympia and Centralia. Call us for a free Injury consultation today!

Employers can’t suppress Workers Compensation Claims

December 29, 2015Workers CompensationSupress, Workers Compensation Claimadmin

If you’ve been injured at work, your employer is not allowed to “suppress” your claim, which means: inducing an injured employee to not report the injury or treat the injury as an off-the-job injury. The employer also can’t force the injured worker to go to “their” chosen doctor.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a Workplace Occupational Disease

December 29, 2015Workers CompensationCarpal Tunnel Syndrome, CTSadmin

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)? To establish work-related CTS, an injured worker must show that 1) workplace activities contributed or caused the CTS; 2) the CTS was properly diagnosed by a medical professional; and 3) it is established that the workplace activities, on a more probable than not basis, contributed to the CTS. High risk jobs that contribute to CTS include Carpentry; Roofing; Dry-wall installation; Boat and home building; and Seafood/fruit/meat processing and canning.

Injured at Work? Read all your Department Orders!

December 29, 2015Workers CompensationWork Injuryadmin

Workplace Injury? Trust Althauser Rayan Abbarno: Worker’s Compensation Attorneys!

If you’ve been injured on the job, read all communications from the Department of Labor and Industries or self injured employer very carefully! If an order is not appealed properly and within the right amount of time, an injured worker may waive all rights and benefits associated to the claim.

The Department or self insured employer may try to close your claim by placing the language “This Claim is Closed” somewhere in the middle of a Payment Order or other Order to close the claim before you’ve received all your benefits and finished treatment.

The Department may deny you all future benefits, treatment, and the opportunity for vocational retraining. Generally, an injured worker only has sixty (60) days to protest or appeal an order from the Department of Labor and Industries or Self-Insured Employer.

If an injured worker does not protest or appeal a closing order within 60 days of receiving the order, rights and benefits may be terminated, including Time Loss, Loss of Earning Power, Medical Treatment, Vocational Services, Permanent Partial Disability awards, and Pension awards.

If you or someone you know was injured at work, contact Peter Abbarno with Althauser Rayan Abbarno for a free injury consultation in Olympia or Centralia by calling (360) 736-1301.