Frequently asked
legal questions

First things first: tell your employer as soon as you can. Then get medical care—don’t try to ‘tough it out’ like you’re doing the CD’A Polar Plunge. Make sure a Report of Accident gets filed so your claim can officially begin.

For injuries, you generally have one year from the date you got hurt. For occupational diseases—conditions that build up over time—you usually have two years from the date a doctor puts the diagnosis in writing.

Depending on your situation, workers’ comp may cover medical treatment, partial wage replacement (called time?loss), vocational retraining, or even permanent disability benefits. It’s not a lottery ticket—but it’s meant to keep you afloat.

If everything is submitted and approved, the first wage?replacement payment is typically issued within about 14 days. That can help keep the lights on while you recover.

You can, but sometimes it takes a couple of weeks to see your doctor. If it’s more urgent than that, go to an urgent care facility or the emergency department of your local hospital.

Yes. You’re not stuck with a random provider. You can choose your own treating doctor as long as they’re part of approved medical network (we can help your doctor become an approved provider if they aren’t already). Many workers prefer seeing someone local who understands their job and their community.

The State of Washington has a law against the retaliatory firing of an injured worker for filing a claim.

You don’t have to sue your employer. The vast majority of claims are concluded without needing to be before a judge.

Workers’ comp claims, like auto accidents, are paid for by the insurance carrier, not the employer directly. Unless the employer has opted to be self-employed.

Currently, no. While tax law and regulations are constantly changing, right now time loss payments are not considered income for purposes of federal taxes.

Depending on why you are trying to reopen your claim, the time passed since the date of closure can be important. Additionally, you’ll almost certainly need to show “objective medical worsening” of your condition since the date of closure. This information needs to come from a doctor, preferably by way of imaging or other objective medical testing – MRI, X-Ray, etc).

Think of workers’ comp as Washington’s safety net for injured workers. It’s a no?fault insurance system that covers medical care and lost wages when you’re hurt at work—whether that’s on road construction site in Spokane or IT support in Richland. The system is run by the Department of Labor & Industries, better known as L&I.

Good news: most workers in Washington are covered. Full?time, part?time, and temporary employees are usually included. Whether you’re clocking in for an employer in Liberty Lake, Moses Lake, or around Lake Washington, odds are L&I has your back.

This is a complicated question and varies greatly from case to case, but if you flatly deny the offer you may lose your eligibility to collect time loss. For more information, read our blog.

1-800-423-7233 – the Department of Labor and Industries Health and Safety Line.

YES. Washington is a no-fault system. This means that coverage for on-the-job injuries is provided regardless of who is at fault.

Probably not. The no-fault system also means that if you were injured due to the employer’s negligence or failure to maintain a safe work environment, you cannot bring a suit directly against them. If you see a violation, report it to your employer. If they fail to fix it, you may want to call the Department of Labor and Industries to ask that they investigate. If you’re injured on the job, file a claim, and call us.

If your claim is denied it’s not the end of the road. You usually have 60 days to protest or appeal an L&I decision. There are rules and deadlines, though, so pay close attention.

Some larger employers—found throughout Washington State—pay and manage their own workers’ comp claims. The process looks a little different, but your rights and benefits under Washington law stay the same.

In most cases, you can’t sue your employer—that’s part of the workers’ comp trade?off. But if someone outside your workplace caused the injury (like a negligent driver or defective equipment), a separate third?party claim may be possible.

You can, but it isn’t your only option. Sometimes it can take a few weeks to see your doctor, so if this is urgent, we recommend going to an urgent care facility or the emergency department of your local hospital.

Each jurisdiction is different, but typically between one and three years. It’s best to contact an attorney so that they can assess your claim and statute of limitations.

No, most settle after the facts come out and treatment is concluded. Make sure you hire an attorney who is willing to take your claim to trial.

Personal injury law covers injuries caused by someone else’s carelessness—car crashes, slip?and?falls at a store, dog bites, or unsafe property conditions. If another person or company caused your injury, you may have a personal injury claim.

Insurance bad faith happens when an insurer unreasonably denies, delays, or underpays a valid claim. Your insurer is supposed to act fairly—not treat you like something they’d like to wash off their hands.

Yes. If your insurer violates its duty of good faith—by stonewalling, misrepresenting coverage, or ignoring evidence—you may have a bad faith claim. Washington law provides strong consumer protections in this area.

Depending on the case, damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care costs, and sometimes enhanced damages in insurance bad faith claims.

Start by documenting everything: photos, medical records, bills, and insurance communications. Then talk with a lawyer who handles these cases regularly. The sooner you act, the better your chances of protecting your rights.

• Do. Not. Leave. Call the police and wait for them to arrive. This will also give you time to assess your body for injuries.
• Go to the hospital if you have any aches or pains, even minor ones, as some of those could be life-threatening.
• Finally, do not admit fault, but do share your insurance information.

YES! Absolutely file a report. Here’s what to do if you’re in a motor vehicle accident.

If you or the other party have been injured, the car accident is being blamed on you, or if the other party or insurer is denying liability. Here are some other red flags.

In most Washington personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of injury. Miss that deadline, and your claim may be gone for good—no matter how strong it was.

You’re not required to hire a lawyer, but insurance companies handle claims every day—and injured people usually don’t. Having an advocate can help level the playing field against an insurer who knows that the harder they fight, the more likely you might be to get overwhelmed and give up.

Medical malpractice cases involve injuries caused by healthcare providers who fail to meet the accepted standard of care. These cases are more complex and often require expert testimony—think less quick hike, more Mount Rainier summit attempt.

Examples include misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and birth injuries. Not every bad outcome is malpractice—but when preventable mistakes cause harm, accountability matters.

Medical malpractice cases generally must be filed within three years of the negligent act or one year from when the injury was discovered, with some exceptions. These timelines can be tricky, so early review is important.

We offer both virtual and in-person meetings. Contact us to get scheduled for a free consultation.

We’ve put together this handy guide to help you.

Carlisle + Byers was founded in 2013 by Chris Carlisle and Rich Byers. We then merged with Casey Law Offices in 2025 and became Carlisle Byers Casey, adding Brandon Casey to our team as a founding partner.

Rich, Chris, and Brandon love to support the fluffy critters at STAHR – Short Term After Hours Rescue.

The vast majority of our work is done on a contingent fee basis, meaning we collect a portion of the financial amount we recover for you rather than charge an hourly fee. There are also a few limited services for which we offer flat-rate pricing.

Chris has an uncanny ability to be in several places at once, or at least it seems so. Between coaching multiple youth sports, to being heavily involved in Boy Scouts with his sons, participating on charity boards and being a zealous advocate for his clients, Chris may actually be faster than a speeding bullet! Rich plays a few different instruments and would like to think of himself as an amateur music producer. There’s some of his work floating around in the cloud and possibly more in the future (maybe coming to a podcast near you!).