Workers Compensation

 

 

Administrator:  Janet Hodson, Director, 206.988.4797

Contact:  Jermila Boyd, 206.433.2289 

What is L&I or Workers Compensation?

• L&I stands for Labor and Industries (or Workers Compensation) and is an industrial insurance program that applies to all work-related injuries or illnesses.  In our State, it is known as the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries and is under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).  Highline Public Schools has been approved as a self-insured employer under the Washington Sate Workers' Compensation Law.  The benefits and rights for injured workers are exactly the same under either system.  Our industrial insurance administrator is CCMSI and they are located in Seattle.

What does Workers Compensation cover?

• If your injury is work related, Workers Compensation will pay all medical costs relating to that injury or illness.
• If your physician states that you cannot work because of your work-related injury or work-related illness, you will be paid a percentage of your wages until your physician releases you to work. 

How do I know if I should file a claim?  If you have a work-related injury or work related illness, you should file a claim.

• A Work-related injury means that you were physically injured while you were performing work for your employer.
• A work-related illness means that you obtained a disease or infection that arises naturally out of employment.

How do I know if it is work-related illness?

• If you are not sure that an illness is work-related but you and your physician feel that it is, you can file a claim.  In viewing your claim, medical evidence will need to substantiate that the disease exists and was caused because of your employment.

Is there a timeline in filing a claim?

• A work-related injury claim has to be filed within one year after the day upon which the injury occurred.
• A work-related illness claim (occupational disease) must be filed within two years from the date the disease reached a stage of development for which it requires medical treatment.  However, the two-year time limit does not begin to run until the worker is given written notice from a doctor that the condition or disease exists and that it is occupational in nature.

If I have a work-related injury or illness, how do I file a claim?

If you have a work-related injury or illness, you can get the necessary forms from your building office manager, secretary or from Human Resources at 206.433.2289.  There are two forms that are necessary to file a claim:

1. Physician's Initial Report Form (PIR) - This form is to be completed by you and your physician.  Your physician will retain this form and send it directly to CCMSI.
2. Self-Insurer Accident Report Form (SIF2) - This is the claim form itself.  You need to fill out the "Employee" section as completely as you can and send it to the Human Resources within 24 hours of your injury.  It is not necessary to have your supervisor's signature on this form as it is an option.  This office will complete the "Employer" section and send it to CCMSI for processing.

If your injury or illness is work-related, you will also need to complete a form called "Highline Public Schools Employee Accident Report".  This form requires your signature and your supervisor's signature.  Upon completion of this form, you or your supervisor will send it to Human Resources.  You need to complete this form for any work-related injury or illness whether a Workers Compensation is filed or not.