City of Seattle

The Workers’ Compensation Unit (WCU) in the City of Seattle Department of Human Resources administers claims for City of Seattle employees related to potentially work-related injuries and illnesses. The city is self-insured and self-administered. For more information and help with claims, contact the Workers’ Compensation Unit at 206-684-7855.

You can also view and download the city’s Guide to Workers’ Compensation Benefits for more information.

State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)

Your claim is managed by the City of Seattle. If you have a problem with a claim, your first point of contact should be the city or its administrator. However, if you have been unable to resolve your problem with the city, the Department of Labor & Industries Self-Insurance Section oversees the management of claims. If you have a problem with a claim, contact the L&I Self-Insurance Section. 

Contact the Department of Labor & Industries Self-Insurance Section by:

• Phone: 360-902-6901
• Fax: 360-902-6900
• Mail: Department of Labor & Industries Self-Insurance Section, PO Box 44892, Olympia, WA 98504-4892

Online Customer Service

You can also use L&I’s online system to report problems related to time-loss compensation, medical care, or other issues. Healthcare providers, attorneys, or individuals authorized to act on your behalf can also use L&I’s customer service website. The customer service site is at lni.wa.gov/SIClaimProblems.

How L&I works with employers

L&I staff can often resolve problems by working with an employer. However, in some cases, they may not be able to resolve your problem, or at least not immediately. Reporting problems with claims to L&I is still very important. Each customer service issue is tallied, and if a pattern emerges, L&I will take action to improve how the employer manages claims.

If you do not want the city to see your report about your problem, contact the independent Office of the Ombuds instead of using our website. More information on the Office of the Ombuds is provided below.

Revealing Mental Health Conditions and Treatment

Your employer has the right to access your claim file, including mental health information. An employer may disclose your mental health conditions or treatment only to people authorized to access that information.

Examples of authorized people your employer may communicate with about your claim include:

• You or your representative.
• The city or its representatives.
• Medical providers treating or examining you.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors.
• Authorized L&I personnel.

Privacy is your right as a patient. L&I recognizes the need to keep your mental health information confidential, and Washington state law (Chapter 51.28.070 RCW) helps protect the privacy of your claim file.

If the city discloses information about your mental health conditions or treatment to an unauthorized person without written consent, the city is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000 per occurrence. All complaints regarding this violation must be investigated to determine whether the city or its authorized representative violated the law. 

Example 1: The city sends an electronic correspondence to three people who are not authorized to receive claim information. The correspondence includes your mental health condition from the claim file. Because the information was sent in a single electronic communication, the city will be charged for a single occurrence.

Example 2: One of the unauthorized recipients in Example 1 forwarded the electronic correspondence to another unauthorized person the next morning. Later that afternoon, the same person sent an additional correspondence to yet another unauthorized person. Because the unauthorized person sent the mental health information to other unauthorized people on two separate occasions, the city will be charged for two additional occurrences.

Example 3: On three separate occasions, an authorized representative verbally shares mental health information from your claim file with three different unauthorized individuals. Because the information was shared in three separate conversations, the city will be charged for three occurrences.

If you believe your confidential mental health information has been disclosed to unauthorized individuals, please let L&I know at lni.wa.gov/claims/for-workers/injured-what-you-need-to-know/confidentiality.

L&I Service Locations

Visit lni.wa.gov/agency/contact/#office-locations for a list of service locations across Washington State.

The Office of Ombuds: An Independent Advocate

The Office of Ombuds operates independently of L&I to advocate for injured workers employed by self-insured businesses. The Governor appoints the Ombuds.

The office answers questions about workers’ compensation and explains your rights and responsibilities under the law. It investigates workers’ compensation complaints and works with your claims administrator and/or L&I to resolve claim-related issues.

How to file a complaint with the Ombuds

You may contact the Ombuds’ Office in writing or by phone. If you file a complaint by mail or fax, please include your name, contact information, claim number, and a brief description of your issues.

Confidentiality

The files and records of the Ombuds’ Office are confidential. Your information will not be disclosed without your authorization.

Contact the Ombuds

Contact the Office of the Ombuds for Injured Workers of Self-Insured Employers by:

• Phone: 888-317-0493 (toll-free)
• Fax: 253-596-3885
• Mail: Office of the Ombuds, 950 Broadway, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA 98402

For more information, visit ombuds.selfinsured.wa.gov

Project HELP

Project HELP provides educational information and counseling to those involved in workers’ compensation claims. The project’s goals are to support early, successful claims resolution, ensure that all rights are preserved and protected, and reduce unnecessary litigation. Project HELP offers workshops, seminars, and one-on-one counseling. All services are free of charge.

The project partners with the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Learn more about Project HELP’s services at projecthelpwa.com. You can also call Project HELP toll-free at 1-800-255-9752.