Everett Workplace Injury Lawyer
Jeff & Kupala Foster
Personal Injury Attorneys · Mukilteo, WA
A serious workplace injury can strip away your income, your independence, and your sense of security overnight. Washington's workers' compensation system through L&I provides a foundation, but it rarely covers everything you have lost. Pain and suffering, the full value of lost earning capacity, and accountability from the negligent party — none of these come from a workers' comp claim alone. Foster Law Offices helps injured workers throughout Snohomish County pursue every avenue of compensation available to them, including third-party claims against negligent contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers. No fee unless we win. Call or text (425) 971-5400.
What You Need to Know
Washington's Industrial Insurance Act requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). When you are hurt on the job, L&I provides wage replacement at approximately two-thirds of your gross wages, payment of medical expenses related to the injury, and vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your previous position. This is genuinely helpful. But workers' compensation has significant limitations that most injured workers do not fully understand until it is too late. Workers' compensation does not pay for pain and suffering. It does not cover the full value of your lost earning capacity over a career. And it does not hold the responsible party accountable for the safety violations and cost-cutting decisions that caused your injury in the first place. When a third party's negligence contributed to your workplace injury — a general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or vehicle driver — you can file a personal injury claim against them that recovers all the damages workers' comp leaves on the table. Third-party workplace injury claims require immediate action. OSHA and WISHA investigations begin quickly. The scene changes. Equipment gets repaired or replaced. Witnesses move on to other jobs. Records that document safety violations can be altered or lost. Foster Law issues evidence preservation demands upon being retained and investigates before the evidence disappears. We identify every applicable WISHA and OSHA violation, every third party who shares liability, and every dollar of damages your injury has cost you. Jeff and Kupala Foster have represented injured workers, subcontractors, and their families throughout Snohomish County for over two decades. They understand the complexity of multi-party workplace liability and are not intimidated by large contractors, property management companies, or equipment manufacturers. Your injury happened because someone made a decision that put your safety second. Foster Law makes sure they are held responsible for that decision.
What Foster Law Does for You
- —Investigate the workplace incident immediately and preserve OSHA, WISHA, and scene evidence
- —Identify all liable third parties beyond your direct employer — contractors, property owners, manufacturers
- —Document WISHA and OSHA safety violations as evidence of negligence
- —Pursue the full range of damages that workers' compensation does not cover
- —Coordinate third-party litigation with your L&I workers' compensation benefits strategically
- —Calculate complete damages including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and full earning capacity loss
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Why Clients Choose Foster Law
- —Understanding of Washington workers' compensation law and its interaction with third-party personal injury claims
- —Knowledge of WISHA and OSHA safety regulations in complex multi-contractor workplace cases
- —Experience identifying and pursuing every available avenue of compensation
- —No fee unless we win.
- —Direct representation from Jeff or Kupala personally throughout your case
- —No office visit required. Evening and weekend availability for injured workers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue my employer if I was hurt at work?
Washington's workers' compensation exclusivity rule generally prevents you from suing your direct employer for a work injury. However you can pursue claims against negligent third parties who contributed to your injury — general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and vehicle operators. These third-party claims recover damages workers' comp does not cover.
Is workers' compensation my only option after a serious workplace injury?
No. If a third party's negligence contributed to your injury you can file a personal injury claim against them in addition to receiving L&I benefits. A third-party claim recovers pain and suffering, full lost earning capacity, and other damages that workers' comp does not address.
What if my employer doesn't have workers' compensation coverage?
Employers who fail to carry required workers' compensation insurance may be sued directly for your injuries. Penalties apply and your rights may be significantly expanded. Contact Foster Law immediately if your employer appears to be uninsured.
I work in construction. Are my workplace injury options different?
Construction sites often involve multiple employers and contractors, which creates broader third-party liability options. General contractors have significant safety oversight duties on multi-employer worksites under WISHA. Equipment manufacturers, property owners, and other subcontractors may also bear liability. Call or text Foster Law for a case-specific evaluation.
How do L&I benefits and a third-party lawsuit interact?
L&I has the right to assert a lien against your third-party recovery for the benefits they have paid. Foster Law coordinates both processes strategically to minimize the lien's impact and maximize your total compensation across both tracks.
What should I do immediately after a workplace injury?
Report the injury to your employer immediately and ensure an incident report is created. Seek medical attention right away. File a workers' compensation claim with L&I. Preserve all evidence of the scene, equipment, and conditions before they change. Then call or text Foster Law at (425) 971-5400 before giving any statements to any insurance company.
The information in these FAQs is general legal information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
We Handle Workplace Injury Cases Throughout Snohomish County
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Jeff and Kupala Foster will personally review your case, answer your questions honestly, and tell you exactly what your options are. Free consultation. No obligation. No fee unless we win.
Available evenings & weekends · No fee unless we win
