Traditional pensions are a type of retirement benefit, but a workers’ compensation pension is different. Washington State workers’ compensation pension benefits are for people who cannot work due to a permanent total disability that occurred while at work.
The experienced legal team at Walthew Law Firm is committed to helping injured workers and their families maximize their workers’ compensation benefits and get the disability pension benefits they’re entitled to.
Overview of Washington State L&I Pensions
Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) handles workers’ compensation claims and benefits. If you’re seriously injured on the job and can no longer pursue gainful employment (meaning you can’t work), you may qualify for an L&I pension, a lifetime benefit for injured workers with a permanent disability, which may include:
- Loss of both legs
- Loss of both arms
- Loss of one arm and one leg
- Total loss of eyesight
- Paralysis
- Any other condition that makes it impossible for you to return to any type of work
An L&I pension supports anyone who can’t return to work. The department considers factors such as:
- Age
- Education
- Work history
- Preexisting conditions
- Impact of an industrial injury or occupational disease
Because all workers’ compensation benefits — including disability pension benefits — are paid by L&I, you may be eligible for an L&I pension even if your employer doesn’t offer its own pension plan.
How Much Does an L&I Pension Pay?
Your pension payments are paid for the entirety of an injured worker’s life, and they are not considered taxable income. Your monthly pension payments are calculated using:
- Your monthly wages at the time of your workplace injury or when you suffered an occupational disease
- Social Security benefits (if you’re receiving them)
- Whether or not you choose to provide benefits to a spouse, child, or domestic partner
Each year, L&I will calculate and apply a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to your monthly payment benefit.
Workers’ Compensation Video
How Is an L&I Pension Different from a Permanent Partial Disability Award?
A permanent partial disability award (PPD) is a lump sum payment that compensates an injured worker for their permanent partial impairment due to a workplace injury or occupational disease. However, unlike an injured worker receiving a disability pension, someone receiving PPD may not be totally disabled and, in many cases, can return to work, but in a different role.
Why You Should Hire an Attorney
Qualifying for L&I pension benefits is challenging, and only a few disability pension claims are successful. Many injured workers lose pension eligibility because their claim is closed too early or ends with a PPD award instead of an L&I pension.
You need to present a strong case that proves you’ll never be able to work again. While L&I will consider your age, education, and work experience, comprehensive medical and vocational evidence plays the biggest role in determining your eligibility. A lawyer works with your attending physical, independent medical examiners, and vocational experts to document your permanent restrictions, that you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), and why vocational training is not a realistic option.
How the Washington L&I Pension Attorneys at Walthew Law Firm Can Help
At Walthew Law Firm, we have more than 90 years of experience advocating for injured workers who cannot return to gainful employment. Our team of experienced, knowledgeable attorneys takes a proactive, collaborative approach to your disability pension claim, and we do everything possible to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve. We will:
- Conduct a free, comprehensive review of your disability pension case
- Answer all your questions and explain your options under Washington State law
- Assess your condition, work restrictions, and vocational limitations before your case is closed
- Gather the medical records, vocational records, and other evidence that support your L&I pension claim
- Monitor your pension status to ensure your case is not closed early
- Protest or appeal your claim if it’s denied
- Work to ensure you receive the full and fair L&I pension payments you deserve
Contact Walthew Law Firm Today
Walthew Law Firm understands the complexity of Washington’s workers’ compensation system, and our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help you and your family qualify for maximum disability pension benefits. Put our decades of experience to work for you. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation case review.
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Seattle, WA 98124-1645
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Seattle, WA 98121
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