Is there a statute of limitations on workers' compensation claims?

Yes, there is a statute of limitations on workers’ compensation claims in the state of Washington. This means that after a certain period of time, an injured worker is no longer able to file for workers’ compensation benefits. In Washington, there are two separate statutes of limitations that apply depending on the situation. Generally, an injured worker is required to report the date and specifics of their injury to their employer within one year of the injury occurring. After that, the worker then has three years to file a claim with the Department of Labor & Industries for benefits. However, in the event that an injury is not obvious or discovered until after the initial one year period, the worker is then only given two years to file a claim. These statutes of limitations also hold if the worker disagrees with the amount of benefits they are receiving and wishes to dispute it. It is extremely important to adhere to the statute of limitations, as any claims that are not filed within the allotted period of time could be subject to dismissal and the injured worker could lose the ability to receive any benefits at all. To be on the safe side, it is highly suggested that injured workers contact their local Department of Labor & Industries office as soon as possible in order to begin filing for workers’ compensation within the proper time frame.

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Is there a statute of limitations on workers' compensation claims?

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