If you’ve been injured at work in Yakima, you’re likely dealing with more than just physical injuries. You may be facing questions about how to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages when your employer or a third party caused your workplace injury. Tamaki Law helps victims of workplace injuries understand their options and pursue the compensation they may be entitled to under Washington law. With decades of experience handling workplace injury cases, our team knows how to work through workers’ compensation claims and advocate for your rights.
Why Choose Tamaki Law
Tamaki Law has been helping injured people after accidents since 1994. Our founding partner, Blaine L. Tamaki, brings about 35 years of trial experience to the firm. He has been involved in obtaining more than $167 million in reported recoveries for clients, including a widely publicized $167.3 million settlement for sexual abuse victims. Our team includes attorneys who have been selected for recognition such as Super Lawyers by Washington Law & Politics, and the firm reports a 10.0 rating on Avvo and a 5.0 rating on Google Reviews based on hundreds of client reviews.
We handle workplace injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Our approach focuses on understanding your specific situation and explaining your options in clear, straightforward language. We operate three offices across Washington—in Yakima, Kennewick, and Bellevue—to serve clients throughout the state.
What Constitutes a Workplace Injury
A workplace injury occurs when a worker is injured while performing job duties or in the course of employment. Under Washington law, employers must provide workers’ compensation coverage to protect injured employees. This applies whether the injury was caused by the employer’s negligence, a coworker’s actions, or unsafe working conditions.
Workplace injuries differ from typical personal injuries in one critical way: they are covered by workers’ compensation insurance rather than standard liability insurance. This creates different pathways for seeking compensation. You may be entitled to medical benefits, wage replacement, and disability benefits through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Despite these protections, many injured workers face challenges in obtaining fair compensation. Tamaki Law helps you navigate the workers’ compensation system and pursue all available benefits.
Washington’s Workers’ Compensation System
Washington treats workplace injuries seriously and requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers who are injured on the job can face significant challenges in obtaining fair compensation. The severity of potential benefits depends in part on the nature and extent of your injury.
For workplace injuries involving serious harm, a worker can receive medical benefits, temporary disability benefits, and permanent disability awards under Washington statutes. If the injury results in permanent disability, you may qualify for ongoing wage replacement benefits. Workplace injuries involving only minor injuries can still result in medical coverage and temporary wage replacement. In some cases where a third party caused the injury, you may have additional claims beyond workers’ compensation.
These workers’ compensation benefits are handled through a separate administrative process and provide the primary source of compensation. However, the existence of third-party liability can affect how you pursue additional recovery beyond workers’ compensation.
Your Compensation Options After a Workplace Injury
Even when your injury is covered by workers’ compensation, Washington law and additional claims can offer several ways to pursue compensation for your injuries and damages.
Workers’ compensation benefits can protect you when you are injured at work, regardless of fault. Workers’ compensation can pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and certain disability benefits up to the limits of the coverage provided. Many workers have this protection without realizing the full scope of benefits available, because coverage is routinely provided with Washington employers.
Third-party liability claims apply when someone other than your employer caused your workplace injury. If a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or another third party was negligent and caused your injury, you may have a claim against that party’s insurance. This can help address damages beyond what workers’ compensation covers.
Occupational disease claims can apply when your injury results from exposure to hazardous conditions over time. Washington law recognizes certain occupational diseases and allows workers to pursue claims for conditions like repetitive strain injuries or exposure-related illnesses.
If a third party caused your workplace injury, you may also pursue a personal injury claim against their insurance carrier and, if appropriate, a civil lawsuit. Tamaki Law evaluates all available coverages and works with accident reports and other evidence to identify potentially responsible parties and insurers whenever possible.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Workplace Injury
Your actions in the moments and hours after a workplace injury can significantly impact your ability to pursue a claim:
First, report your injury to your supervisor or employer immediately. Even if the injury seems minor, creating an official record is essential. Employer incident reports often become important evidence when insurance companies review claims.
Second, gather as much information as you safely can about the incident. Write down the time, location, and conditions when the injury occurred. If there are witnesses, get their names and contact details. Try to note anything you observed about what caused the injury—equipment involved, unsafe conditions, or actions by others.
Third, document your injuries and medical care. Seek medical attention promptly, even if you initially feel okay. Some conditions emerge or worsen over time, and medical records provide essential support for your claim.
Fourth, contact your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier to report the injury. Provide the incident report number and the information you gathered. Ask about your medical benefits, wage replacement, and disability coverage.
Finally, consider contacting Tamaki Law for a consultation. Early legal help can assist with communicating with insurers, meeting deadlines, and preserving evidence that may be important to your case.
How Tamaki Law Helps Workplace Injury Victims
When you hire Tamaki Law, you gain a legal team focused on pursuing compensation available under your policy and Washington law. We manage the legal and insurance aspects of your claim so you can prioritize your health.
Our investigation begins with reviewing incident reports, contacting witnesses, and evaluating scene evidence such as photos or available video. When appropriate, we may consult safety experts to help clarify how the injury occurred. If there is a realistic possibility of identifying a third party responsible for your injury, we explore that path with the information available.
We handle communications and negotiations with insurance carriers on your behalf. Insurers sometimes question or undervalue workplace injury claims, especially third-party claims. Our attorneys are familiar with common defense and claims‑handling tactics and work to present the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
We track and meet applicable deadlines. Washington’s general statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years, but workers’ compensation claims can impose shorter contractual time limits and notice requirements. We prepare and file the necessary paperwork and, when warranted, bring lawsuits to protect and advance your claim.
If negotiations do not result in a fair settlement, we can file suit and prepare your case for trial or arbitration, depending on the policy and circumstances. Our trial background allows us to take your case beyond settlement discussions when that is the appropriate next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’m injured at work?
Report your injury to your supervisor or employer immediately and wait for them to initiate the workers’ compensation process. Gather information about the incident and any witnesses. Seek medical care as needed. Then contact your workers’ compensation insurance carrier to ask about making a claim under your medical and wage replacement benefits. Tamaki Law can help you understand your coverages and assist with the claim process.
How long do I have to file a workplace injury claim in Washington?
In many Washington workplace injury cases, you have specific time limits to report your injury and file a claim. However, notice requirements and claim deadlines within your employer’s policy can vary, and delays can harm your claim. Consulting with an attorney promptly helps ensure you understand and can meet the timelines that apply in your situation.
Can I recover compensation if my employer was not at fault?
In many cases, yes. If you carry workers’ compensation coverage, it typically applies regardless of fault, subject to policy terms and proof requirements. This coverage can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and certain disability benefits. Tamaki Law can assist you in pursuing a workers’ compensation claim and responding to insurer questions or challenges.
What damages can I recover in a workplace injury case?
You may be able to pursue economic damages such as medical expenses, wage loss, reduced earning capacity, and disability benefits, as well as non‑economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, depending on your injuries and the applicable coverage. In serious injury cases, total damages can be significant. Tamaki Law reviews medical records, employment information, and other documentation to present a complete picture of your losses.
How much does it cost to hire Tamaki Law?
We represent workplace injury clients on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay an upfront retainer for attorney fees. Instead, our fee is typically a percentage of any settlement or verdict we obtain on your behalf. If there is no recovery, you generally do not owe an attorney fee under this arrangement. We explain the details in our written fee agreement before you decide how to proceed.
What if my workers’ compensation claim is denied?
Insurance companies may deny or limit claims for a variety of reasons. If a workers’ compensation carrier denies your claim, Tamaki Law can review the denial, gather additional supporting information, and challenge the decision through negotiations, internal appeal processes, complaints to regulators where appropriate, or litigation. We evaluate the most effective next steps based on the facts and policy language.
Contact Tamaki Law for Your Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a workplace injury in Yakima, you do not have to handle the workers’ compensation process alone. Tamaki Law offers a free consultation to discuss what happened, review your coverage, and explain your options. Call (509) 248-8338 today to talk with a workplace injury lawyer. Washington’s statute of limitations and workers’ compensation deadlines mean it is important to act promptly. We represent clients across the state from our Yakima, Kennewick, and Bellevue offices and are ready to speak with you about your potential claim.