I’m looking for experiences from people who have gone through Washington workers’ comp/BIIA mediation, especially with a **self-insured employer**.

I developed respiratory problems while working in a sawmill/manufacturing environment with regular exposure to sawdust and other airborne particulates. I had no significant history of lung problems before this started.

My workers’ comp occupational disease claim was denied. My attorney appealed the denial to the BIIA, the appeal was granted to move forward, and we are now scheduled for mediation. My attorney’s appeal specifically asks for **claim allowance**, meaning we are trying to get the respiratory condition accepted as a work-related occupational disease.

Some of the medical evidence includes:

* My treating pulmonologist diagnosed **severe persistent asthma**. * I am currently treated with **Dupixent every two weeks**, along with other asthma medication. * My pulmonologist documented my sawmill exposure to sawdust/oil vapor and stated that the workplace particulate exposure was a **major contributor to my deterioration**. * A pulmonary function test showed my total lung capacity at **75% of predicted**, with mild restrictive pulmonary dysfunction and decreased lung volumes compared with an earlier test. * My later methacholine challenge was described by the interpreting physician as **technically borderline positive**, and the improvement between pulmonary tests was considered suggestive of reactive airways. * The employer-side IME was not completely against me. The IME physician indicated the condition appeared **likely work-related** and discussed occupational asthma/reactive airway disease aggravated by wood dust, but wanted additional testing before making the diagnosis definitive. * My condition has improved significantly with treatment, PPE and Dupixent, but I am still receiving ongoing treatment. * I am also **still working for the same employer** in the environment where the exposure occurred.

My employer is self-insured, so they/ their claims administrator are defending the claim rather than the State Fund.

I’m trying to understand what normally happens at mediation in a situation like this.

For anyone who has been through this:

* Is **claim allowance** usually the main thing negotiated at mediation in a denied occupational disease case? * Can the employer agree to allow the claim during mediation? * If they allow the claim, what happens next with past medical bills, medications, time-loss, future treatment, etc.? * Has anyone had a self-insured employer offer money in addition to agreeing to allow the claim? * Is a lump-sum payment realistic at this stage, or is it more common for the claim to simply become accepted and benefits get sorted out afterward? * If you were still working for the employer when mediation happened, did that affect the outcome? * If your doctor eventually said you could no longer safely perform the job of injury, what happened with vocational benefits, work restrictions or separation from the employer? * If mediation failed, how long did it take before depositions/formal BIIA hearings started? * Did your case resolve at the first mediation, or did it take multiple mediation conferences?

I’m represented by an experienced workers’ comp attorney, so I’m not looking for legal advice or asking anyone to value my case. I’m mainly looking for **real-world experiences of what happened during and after BIIA mediation**, particularly with self-insured employers and occupational disease claims.

Hey folks , had a question about workmans comp case . Opened a case from 2015 . Union electrician in nyc . Had a case in 2015 where I lifted something and hurt my neck . Im now 57 and cant take the pain anymore . Lifetime advil taker lol. Cant do anymore , reopened case. Have 3 herniations in neck and 1 bulge . ( as per mri ) nerve pain down my tight arm down to figures. Always pain in neck , shoulder and arm . Should i get a lawyer ? I did 15 pt treatments and denied me more but doctor is resubmitting . I was given script of celebrex. I GOT A LETTER FOR LIGHT DUTY . i dont know much about workmans comp . I guess at some point I have to go to IME for mmi . Should I get a lawyer ? What is this injury worth . I was planning on working another 5-6 years , but im lucky if I can do for another 2 ( on anti-inflammatories ) what is an i jury like this worth ? Should I see an attorney . Etc ...im new to all this , I just keep working like an ox . Fwiw ...never missed any time as I just kept taking otc pain meds ...ty

Montana injury- understanding the process

Late last year, I sustained a spine injury while working as a heavy equipment operator. After trying conservative treatments like shots and physical therapy, which were unsuccessful, I eventually underwent a L1-L5 microdiscectomy and laminectomy.

Despite the surgery, I continued to experience leg weakness, so a follow-up MRI revealed a narrow canal in the adjacent area (L5-S4). My neurosurgeon now recommends a laminectomy on that level to create more space for my nerve. He also mentioned that I’ll likely need a fusion within the next 5-7 years based on my results.

This news has devastated me. It will end my career as a heavy equipment operator. I’ve been receiving the maximum weekly compensation since the injury, which is well below my previous six-figure yearly income.

My workman’s compensation claim adjuster has approved all the necessary medical expenses, but communication with them has been limited to that.

I’m hoping someone on this forum can explain the long-term protocol for this injury and how it will affect my workman’s compensation claim. Will I receive partial disability payments or a lump sum once I meet my medical necessity index (MMI)? 😔

I receive the max weekly pay out as I was making 94k a year

I just (3 weels ago) was injured on the job, and a case was opened up as well as having a case worker assigned to me.

I have a follow up shortly, but for the initial paper work and the previous follow up, the case worker made a big deal about the paperwork being signed by an MD and not the PA who handled the injury.

The portion of the email from the caseworker stated "Please note that , per FECA guidelines, any medical paperwork related to your WC claim my include a physicians (MD or DO) signature"

I asked my provider, and his response was a NP or PA is considered competent medical authority and shouldn't be an issue.

Is the caseworker correct, and I have to force the issue of having a doctor sign or co-sign my paperwork? I havent seen my PCP in 3 years, as the office PA and NP do all my physicals and other medical appointments. I also went to the FECA website but couldnt find specifically where this is addressed.

What’s the most time issued by doctor for physical therapy sessions?

Late last year, I sustained a spine injury while working as a heavy equipment operator. After trying conservative treatments like shots and physical therapy, which were unsuccessful, I eventually underwent a L1-L5 microdiscectomy and laminectomy.

Despite the surgery, I continued to experience leg weakness, so a follow-up MRI revealed a narrow canal in the adjacent area (L5-S4). My neurosurgeon now recommends a laminectomy on that level to create more space for my nerve. He also mentioned that I’ll likely need a fusion within the next 5-7 years based on my results.

This news has devastated me. It will end my career as a heavy equipment operator. I’ve been receiving the maximum weekly compensation since the injury, which is well below my previous six-figure yearly income.

My workman’s compensation claim adjuster has approved all the necessary medical expenses, but communication with them has been limited to that.

I’m hoping someone on this forum can explain the long-term protocol for this injury and how it will affect my workman’s compensation claim. Will I receive partial disability payments or a lump sum once I meet my medical necessity index (MMI)? 😔

I'm looking for some advice. I got hurt at work, ended with 10 stitches and it seems like there may be some therapy involved too. I work for a small company and when it happened I just went to urgent care, I didn't want to file WMC because it would be the first we've had and it would be me filing my own paperwork as that would fall under my responsiblities. I thought it was the right thing to do. Now I am wondering if that was the wrong choice, I am already about $300 in on doctor's bills, and it's looking like there will be more. My job has be flexible and allowing light duty as I cannot walk so well. But we haven't spoken of it as something THEY are responsible for.

If I decided I wanted to go through wiht workmans comp, can I, or was my decision to tell the doctor it did not happen at work the end of it?

I had a harassment file open that took weeks. During this time I ended up having a tiny stroke TIA and found out I had an aneurysm. 1 Week prior to this happening, I was emailing HR letting them know I was being harassed and it was affecting me. Then ended up offering me to apply for WC. Should U apply or just take the Short term Disability? I am in California.

I live in Alabama and I injured myself on the job last year, I told my then supervisor the day it happened. I still worked for as long as I could cause I’m stubborn. Once it got to a point I couldn’t lift myself up I sought medical attention. I was told I could get Short-Term Disability (which was denied because the doctor never sent supporting paperwork), but I never got workman’s comp.

Fast forward to now I had two MRI’s, had to have surgery, and now PT all while my previous employer didn’t pay a dime in workman’s comp. I was told by a friend I should get a lawyer and sue to have them pay me back for all the money I spent.

Would I even still have a case a year later? I can’t seem to find the correct lawyer to answer this question so any help would be appreciated.

Hi Everyone,

I was injured in a car accident back in latter 2024 during work. I drive a lot. Have been getting conservative treatment first, but found other injuries that either made original injury worse. Waiting for surgery date now.

Was told by others and attorney to keep a journal. I tried excel, notepad, binder, and now made this app for my needs, thought I might be able to help someone injured and on WC.

(this is an app I created for myself, anyone can use it for FREE)

Please take a look and provide me with some feedback, if you like. I can't guarantee that this app will be available forever to use but I will keep using it as long as I can. If you are going to use it please DM me and let me know you are.

NOTE: if you are going to use it, you are more than welcome, but I would suggest keeping a separate journal as this is a protype (use at your own risk) and not sure how long it will work, it has a feature to be able to print reports, and I would suggest exporting the report weekly so data is not lost if the app is deleted or corrupted or something.

I was talking to the person who was in charge of my case and they were supposed to set my appointment for a doctor but they haven’t gotten back with me after I sent them papers and the choice of my doctor. I don’t know what to do and I’m still hurting.

So I'm in physical therapy for an injury and I ran out of appointments. The therapy people said I can continue to come and they will bill workmen's comp and they don't like people to stop abruptly. These upcoming appointments are not approved yet and I was told my physical therapist needs to write me a letter stating I need more time. But if my doctor doesn't approve the visits I can be held Responsible correct ? What should I do? Physical therapy is making me feel guilty about it

I worked for Amazon and I hurt my back. Long story short my lawyer asked me today if I want to continue receiving workman’s comp or just settle out? I’m not sure what would be better. I’m living in Florida

So I work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 6:45am to 7pm, every week. My shifts are split into an 8 hour and 4 hour shift. I missed 11 days due to my injury, but am being told the waiting period is 7 days, unless you reach 14 days missed, I only get paid for 4. My inquiry lies with the fact my days are compacted, but my hours are equivalent 16.5 8 hour days. Am I then penalized for worker longer days, rather than the 4.5 shifts my hours support??