Self-Insured vs. State Fund

Washington Self-Insured Workers' Comp Lawyer
WA State Fund Workers' Compensation Attorney

Free consultation. Call toll free: 1-800-245-ATTY (1-800-245-2889)

As soon as you've been injured on the job, you are thrown into the world of workers' compensation: a system full of rules and regulations, confusing terms, and important deadlines. At a time when you are physically least able to handle all the stress, you need to make important decisions that may affect your health and financial security for years to come.

We can help. Contact the workers' compensation legal team at Keith S. Douglass & Associates, LLP, for all of your workman's comp concerns. Your initial consultation is free.

Same Benefits, Different Process

One of the first questions you may ask yourself is, "What's the difference between State Fund workers' compensation and Self-Insured employer workers' comp?"

The benefits to workers are exactly the same, but the process of obtaining them is different.

All employers are required by law to provide workers' compensation insurance to their employees. Employers have the option of paying into the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries' State Fund workers' compensation insurance program. An employer that has been in business for 3 years or longer, has a minimum net worth of $2 million and has an operating accident prevention program can apply to become Self-Insured and will contract with a Risk Management company to have them work the claims.

The majority of employees are covered under State Fund workers' compensation insurance. Large employers often find it more cost effective to self-insure. Wal-Mart, for example, is a Self-Insured employer.

Before you begin the process of filing a claim, find out if your company is Self-Insured. If the employer is Self-Insured, you must obtain the claim form from your employer. All benefits are payable through the employer or Self-Insured's representative.

If you are covered under the State Fund, your doctor will have the appropriate claim form: Report of Industrial Injury or Occupational Disease, which will be sent to L&I for processing and, if approved, claim payment and/or settlement.