Founded in 1911, the Port of Seattle is a government agency that is responsible for overseeing Seattle’s airport (the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport) and its seaport. It is organized as a special-purpose municipal corporation, tasked with serving the people of King County and bringing good jobs and prosperity through trade, commerce, and effective economic development.
The Port of Seattle has thousands of employees. As with any other workplace, job-related accidents can and do happen at Port of Seattle facilities. If you were injured while working for the Port of Seattle, it is crucial that you are able to get access to the full medical coverage, time loss compensation, and disability benefits that you deserve. Here, our Seattle workers’ compensation attorneys explain the most important things that injured Port of Seattle workers need to know about the claims process.
The Port of Seattle is Self-Insured and Self-Administered
Under Washington state law, injured workers are entitled to no-fault job-related accident and disability insurance coverage. Employers can select to provide workers’ compensation coverage through the Labor & Industries Washington State Fund, or they can choose to get self-insurance. All workers should know that the Port of Seattle is a self-insured employer.
What to Do If You are Hurt While Working for the Port of Seattle
If you are injured on the job, it is imperative that you take the proper steps to protect your health, your well-being, and your rights. Immediately following a workplace accident, Port of Seattle employees should to do the following three things:
- Report Your Injury to Your Supervisor: If you were injured on the job while working for the Port of Seattle, you should report the accident to your supervisor without unwarranted delay. Your supervisor should give you the packet that you need to initiate your workers’ compensation claim. If you do not receive any such packet, you should ask for it.
- Complete and Submit the Self-Insurer Accident Report (SIF-2) Form: Among other things, the packet from your employer should contain instructions on how to complete and submit the Self-Insurer Accident Report (SIF-2) form. This form must be carefully completed and returned to your supervisor at the Port of Seattle as soon as possible.
- Make Sure that You See a Doctor: Following a workplace accident, injured workers should see an experienced physician for a comprehensive medical examination. You deserve proper medical care, and you can see a physician of your choice. During your first visit, be sure to tell your doctor that you were hurt on the job and that your employer is self-insured. Your doctor should complete the official PIR (Physician’s Initial Report), which should then be returned to your supervisor.
Was Your Claim Denied By the Port of Seattle? You Have Limited Time to Act
Ideally, your work injury claim will be processed efficiently, and you will be offered the full and fair workers’ compensation benefits that you rightfully deserve. Unfortunately, this does not always occur. If your workers’ compensation claim was denied, or if you disagree with any assessment made by your employer, it is critical that you take immediate action to protect your rights.
It is strongly recommended that you seek guidance from an experienced Washington workers’ compensation claims attorney as soon as possible after receiving written notification of an adverse decision. As explained in the Guide to Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Employees of Self-Insured Businesses — which is published by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) —injured workers only have 60 days to challenge an adverse decision after receiving an official ‘Order and Notice’ from the Department of Labor & Industries. Your protest to L&I must be in writing, and it should carefully explain why you are disputing the decision. You should also be prepared to provide any relevant supplemental evidence or information at that time.
Get Help From Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today
At The Walthew Law Firm, our top-rated Seattle workers’ compensation lawyers have provided our clients with effective, individualized legal representation for more than 90 years. If you or your family member was injured while working for the Port of Seattle, we are here to help.
To set up a free, strictly confidential review of your workers’ compensation claim, please do not delay: contact our law firm now. We have law offices in Seattle and Everett, and we serve communities throughout Western Washington, including in King County, Snohomish County, and Pierce County.