Injured at Work in Washington?
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A workplace injury can be stressful. This page walks through the general steps most Washington workers take, and points to official Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) guidance for the details that apply to you.
Official source — L&I: Injured at work? What you need to knowGet medical attention first
If an injury is life-threatening or severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For non-emergency injuries, you can be seen by a healthcare provider such as an occupational medicine clinic, urgent care, or your own provider.
Tell the provider that the injury happened at work. This matters because the provider can help start your workers' compensation claim.
Notify your employer
Let your supervisor or employer know about the injury as soon as you can, and describe when, where, and how it happened. Keep a note of who you told and when.
Start a workers' compensation claim
How a claim is started depends on whether your employer is insured through the L&I State Fund or is self-insured. L&I explains both paths, including filing online, by phone, or through your healthcare provider.
- State Fund employers: claims are filed with and managed by L&I.
- Self-insured employers: claims are managed by the employer or its claims administrator, under L&I oversight.
- Ask your employer which type of coverage they have if you are not sure.
When follow-up occupational medicine care may help
After an initial evaluation, many work injuries need follow-up visits to track recovery, update work restrictions, and complete claim paperwork. Occupational medicine clinics focus on this kind of care. Your treating provider can advise what is right for you.
Official Washington L&I guidance
Rules, timelines, and benefits are set by Washington law and L&I. Always check the official sources below for requirements that apply to your situation.