Has Washington’s New “Good Faith” Law Changed L&I Claims Yet?
A few months ago, we wrote about the “Grand Compromise” that built Washington’s workers’ compensation system and how that compromise had quietly tilted into something…
Why L&I Makes It Hard to Get Medical Treatment After a Work Injury
When you’re hurt at work, the system is designed to help you heal and get back to work and your life, right? It’s no secret…
The Psychology of Jury Selection: What Voir Dire Reveals About Jurors
This is part two of a two-part blog series. If you missed part one, read it here. Part I was about perspective. Part II is…
Standing in the Jury Box: What Lawyers Learn From Jury Duty
There’s something fascinating about standing in line for jury duty when you usually stand at the counsel table. Recently, I reported for federal jury service…
Good Faith and Fair Dealing in Washington Workers’ Compensation
November 18, 2025
Good Faith and Fair Dealing in Washington Workers’ Compensation
Why the “Grand Compromise” isn’t So Grand Anymore I’ve been chasing a problem ever since I began practicing law in the Washington State Labor and…
From work injury to disability: A guide to Workers’ Comp and SSDI claims
November 19, 2024
From work injury to disability: A guide to Workers’ Comp and SSDI claims
I recently met with a client who asked me how he could transfer or shift his Washington Workers’ Compensation claim into a Social Security Disability…
A trick-or-treat tale of terrifying Workers’ Comp realities
October 31, 2024
A trick-or-treat tale of terrifying Workers’ Comp realities
I am a bit of a Halloween junkie. A neighborhood friend of mine and I compete every year, trying to outdo each other's decorations and…
What’s the difference between first-party and third-party insurance?
September 9, 2024
What’s the difference between first-party and third-party insurance?
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident/collision, you may have heard these terms used when trying to get treatment. For example, another driver, who…
Ergonomic assessments: Why they matter after a workplace injury
August 21, 2024
Ergonomic assessments: Why they matter after a workplace injury
Ergonomics. Sounds made up, right? Technically, ergonomics is the science of studying a worker’s efficiency in their workspace. The definition makes it sound like it’s…
What if insurers’ brands resembled their business practices?
August 8, 2024
What if insurers’ brands resembled their business practices?
My son has a gecko. She’s cute. She walks around on his shoulders, shaking her tail before she pounces on her food (whether that’s a…
Is Washington’s Department of L&I Ensuring Workplace Safety?
In a recent blog post, I applauded the Department of L&I for being the state’s safety watchdog. They are the body set in place to…
Unsafe work conditions: A preventable tragedy
May 31, 2024
Unsafe work conditions: A preventable tragedy
There was a tragic incident in the Tri-Cities in October of last year where a worker died in an apple storage facility. The employer lowered the…
