King County Metro is one of the largest public employers in the state of Washington. According to the most recent report published by the King County Government, the King County Metro Transit Department currently employs nearly 5,000 workers, including bus drivers, maintenance professionals, law enforcement officers, administrators, office staff, and much more.
Unfortunately, despite King County’s commitment to workplace safety, accidents still happen.
At The Walthew Law Firm, our Seattle workers’ compensation attorneys have extensive experience working on behalf of injured workers in Washington. Here, our legal team explains the most important steps that King County Metro Transit workers need to take if they were hurt on the job.
1. Report Your Accident to King County Metro
Work injuries can occur in many different ways. No matter the specific nature of the accident, it is imperative that you report it to your employer as soon as possible.
King County Metro is a self-insured employer. In Washington, employers have the ability to obtain insurance on their own—meaning that they will be responsible for handling the paperwork and payments directly.
2. Schedule a Professional Medical Evaluation
All serious work injuries require medical attention. Certainly, emergency medical needs always come first. If you need emergency attention, get to a doctor immediately. Moderate injuries should also be checked out by a licensed physician. Do not risk your well-being.
When you see the doctor, be sure to tell your medical provider that you were injured while on the job. It is important that your doctor is aware of this information. The reason being is that your medical provider will be able to complete the appropriate forms and put together the medical records that are necessary to bring a workers’ compensation claim.
3. File for Workers’ Comp Benefits
Reporting your workplace accident to King County Metro is not the same thing as actually filing a claim for benefits. You need to complete and submit the workers’ comp form. Make sure that you complete this form without delay. As a general matter, you will not need professional assistance to submit an initial claim. Though, there are some exceptions: If you have questions, a workers’ comp attorney can offer guidance.
4. Understand Your Right to Appeal an Unfavorable Order
Unfortunately, some injured workers struggle to get access to the compensation that they deserve. Sadly, self-insured employers do not always pay claims in full. If you received an unfavorable legal order on your workers’ comp claim—whether your benefits were underpaid or because your claim was denied outright—you still have options available.
Do not let an adverse decision be filed without exercising your rights. In most cases, injured King County Metro workers have 60 days to file a protest or an appeal. There are some exceptions to the 60-day rule, so if you receive an unfavorable decision, be sure to review the legal order carefully to find the applicable deadline.
5. Call a King County Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Help
If you run into any problems in the workers’ compensation claims process, you should seek professional help. Free, fully confidential initial consultations are available. Our top-rated attorneys will listen, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you take action to protect your legal rights.
At The Walthew Law Firm, we are proud of our record of success in handling a wide range of work injury claims. Our mission is to protect the rights of workers who were injured on the job. If you or your loved one was hurt while working for King County Metro, our legal team can help. To arrange a free, no-commitment consultation, please reach out to us right away. With an office in Seattle, we serve communities throughout King County, including Bellevue, Auburn, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kirkland, Kent, SeaTac, and Redmond.