Coronary heart disease (CHD) encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including heart attacks. It is the second leading cause of death in Washington state. Among working-age populations, occupational factors contribute to an estimated 10-20% of all cardiovascular disease deaths nationwide. Workplace-related cardiac events can have devastating consequences for workers and their families, yet obtaining compensation and benefits for these conditions can be challenging due to legal and bureaucratic obstacles.
If you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack or another cardiac event due to work conditions, the Cardiovascular Illness Attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC will advocate for your rights. Whether the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) or a self-insured employer (SIE) denies compensation, benefits, or necessary medical care, our experienced legal team is here to help.
Call us today for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist and learn how we may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
Causes of Work-Related Heart Attacks
Several occupational factors can contribute to the development or exacerbation of heart disease. These include:
- Physical exertion: Heavy lifting, repetitive strenuous movements, and over-exertion can trigger cardiac events.
- Temperature extremes: Exposure to excessive heat or cold increases cardiovascular stress, particularly for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
- Harmful substances: Long-term exposure to toxins such as radiation, noise pollution, airborne pollutants, and fluctuating air/water pressure can contribute to cardiovascular disease.
- Dust, fumes, and chemicals: Second-hand smoke, lead, and industrial chemicals pose serious health risks.
- Chronic stress: High-pressure work environments can elevate blood pressure, increasing heart attack risks.
- Long working hours: 55+ hours per week may significantly raise the likelihood of heart disease.
Occupations with Higher Risk of Heart Attack
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain professions have a higher prevalence of heart disease due to work conditions, stress, and exposure to hazardous environments:
- Professional drivers, such as long-haul truckers, bus drivers
- First responders, such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics
- Food service workers, such as cooks, bartenders, fast-food employees
- Fishery and maritime workers
- Cargo and warehouse workers
- Construction and civil engineering workers
- Manufacturing and plant operators
If you work in one of these industries and have suffered a heart attack or cardiovascular illness, you may have a valid claim.
How Does L&I Determine If My Heart Attack Is Work-Related?
Under Washington State law (RCW 51.08.100), proving that a heart attack is work-related requires evidence of a “sudden and tangible happening of a traumatic nature.”
Key Factors for a Valid Claim
- Routine job duties alone are not sufficient for a claim.
- The injury must result from an unusual strain or exertion beyond typical work activities.
- The burden of proof lies with the worker, requiring medical and factual evidence linking the condition to employment.
Because these cases are difficult to prove, documentation is crucial to increasing the likelihood of claim acceptance.
How to Document a Work-Related Heart Attack
Since L&I claims for heart attacks without strong evidence are often denied, workers expecting treatment and financial compensation must keep detailed records of the event and their medical condition.
Record Any Unusual Strain or Work Conditions
Document any out-of-the-ordinary physical exertion or stressful work factors that occurred before the heart attack, such as:
- Extreme temperatures: working in excessive heat or cold
- Heavy lifting or overexertion: beyond typical job duties
- Long work shifts or excessive overtime
Collect Medical Documentation
Gather medical evidence supporting your claim:
- Doctor’s notes describing the cause and contributing work factors
- Hospital records detailing the cardiac event
- Independent Medical Examination (IME) reports, if available
Obtain a Physician’s Treatment Plan
If your doctor has prescribed ongoing care due to your work-related heart attack, document:
- Required medications,
- Physical therapy recommendations, and
- Return-to-work restrictions or permanent disability status.
Is My Heart Attack a Third-Party Claim or a Washington State L&I Claim?
Third-Party Claim
A third-party claim is one in which someone other than your employer or co-worker is responsible for your injury. If you have been injured on the job due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third-party claim, which combines your L&I claim with a personal injury claim using the same facts.
Unlike workers’ compensation payments, there is no limit to the amount of compensation an injured worker may seek in third-party damages. Third-party claims are private matters and are typically litigated directly with the Washington State Superior Court.
If your back injury leaves you out of work for an extended period of time, you may be entitled to compensation for pain, suffering, and lost wages.
Washington State L&I Claim
A Washington state L&I claim results from a workplace injury or industrial disease. An L&I claim is monitored and managed by an L&I Claims Manager who sees the process through from initial claim filing to closure. If all goes as planned, your claim is accepted by L&I and you will receive certain benefits.
When you are injured or contract certain types of illnesses at work, you are entitled to certain workers’ compensation benefits. You can file an L&I claim in Washington state through the L&I website’s File Fast tool, by calling the L&I office at 877.561.3453, or at your doctor’s office. After you file, it is imperative that you call an experienced L&I attorney to help you navigate the L&I claims process.
Our Seattle L&I and Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Will Help You Recover:
- Medical benefits: L&I medical benefits will cover all medical costs associated with your claim. This can include doctor appointments, treatments, surgeries, occupational therapy, and prescription medications.
- Time-loss benefits: If you are approved for time-loss benefits, you may receive compensation for the lost wages and vocational rehabilitation.
- Damages for pain and suffering: L&I settlement and award amounts vary widely and typically fall into three categories:
1. L&I disability pension: a life-long benefit awarded to injured workers who will never be able to return to any gainful employment due to a severe or life-threatening injury.
2. Permanent partial disability (PPD) award: a one-time sum paid to injured workers when their L&I claim is closed. The worker can re-enter the workforce following a PPD award.
3. Claim resolution settlement agreement (CRSA): an L&I settlement option where all parties agree to close an injury claim for a specified amount. When agreeing to this settlement type, the injured worker exchanges all future L&I benefits, except medical, for the payment.
We understand that many families depend on the income of an injured worker, and our L&I and Personal Injury Attorneys are dedicated to winning the benefits and compensation you are entitled to by law. Our practice was founded on a commitment to advocating for workers’ rights, and we are proud of our record protecting the injured and disabled. Call us today for a Free Case Reiew with an experienced Intake Specialist and learn how Emery | Reddy may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
HOW IT WORKS
Learn How Employment Law and L&I Claims Work Together
Your Washington State L&I Claim Is Worth More If You Also Have an Employment Claim
A significant number of Washington state L&I claims often involve additional legal claims such as employment or third-party claims. Many people file their claims without seeking representation from an experienced Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I attorney and thus never discover that, in addition to their Washington state L&I claim, they may be missing out on the ability to file an employment claim or a third-party claim. Pursuing additional legal action with the help of an experienced Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I attorney has the potential to significantly increase a claim’s overall compensation. At Emery | Reddy, our experienced Attorneys practice both Employment and Labor Law as well as Workers’ Compensation Law, which means we will investigate all aspects of your claim to make sure you aren’t missing out on any potential benefits.
Many injured workers find that their employer has taken, or plans to take, adverse action against them because they filed an L&I claim or they are out of work. You can file a lawsuit against your employer for several reasons, including retaliation, wrongful termination, discrimination, or unpaid wages. An L&I attorney who is experienced in both L&I — Workers’ Compensation Law and Employment and Labor Law can help you with your Washington state L&I claim while simultaneously filing a federal or state law claim for the violation of workers’ rights by your employer.
A third-party claim is one in which someone other than your employer or co-worker is responsible for your injury. If you have been injured on the job due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third-party claim, which combines your Washington state L&I claim with a personal injury claim using the same facts.
Unlike workers’ compensation payments, there is no limit to the amount of compensation an injured worker may seek in third-party damages. Third-party claims are private matters and are typically litigated directly with the Washington State Superior Court.
How Do I Know If I Have a Strong L&I Claim?
If you have a Washington state L&I claim or wonder if you should contact an experienced Seattle L&I worker’s compensation attorney, ask yourself the following:
- Have I been denied the medical benefits to which I am legally entitled?
- Has L&I asked me to undergo an Independent Medical Exam (IME)?
- Do I have questions about the Washington state L&I claim process?
If any of the above apply to you, Emery | Reddy may be able to help.
Navigating a Washington state L&I claim can be difficult and very time-consuming, especially when you’re ill or injured. You want to focus on healing and make sure your bills are paid, but if you don’t file things properly or on time, your health, home, and job could be in jeopardy. Many individuals miss out on much-needed L&I benefits because they don’t understand what to do or how to get the most compensation for their injuries. If you are experiencing any challenges in your case, a Seattle workers’ compensation and L&I attorney can assist you. By contacting Emery | Reddy as soon as possible after you’ve been injured, we can help you avoid the common pitfalls of filing and navigating an L&I claim. Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys are here for you every step of the way.
Emery | Reddy Can Help You with Your Washington State L&I Claim
Emery | Reddy is the only law firm in Washington state that is equipped to provide comprehensive representation on your case from every angle. Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys thoroughly assess every case to determine if our clients have additional claims, and at times this can extend far beyond the underlying workers’ compensation claim.
If you have been injured in the workplace, call Emery | Reddy today for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how we may be able help. No fee unless we recover for you.
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Meet the Team
The Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC are passionate about helping workers with L&I claims and Employment and Labor Law issues. We help workers.® It’s our motto and what drives us every day.
We know how L&I and big companies think, and we understand the tactics they use. Our Seattle Workers’ Compensation and L&I Attorneys use that knowledge coupled with over eight decades of experience to help our clients get access to the L&I benefits to which they are legally entitled and hold employers accountable when they break the law.
If you’re struggling with a Washington state L&I claim, or legal issue at work, call us for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how Emery | Reddy may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
“Karolina Arthur at Emery | Reddy is simply a phenomenal person, she gave me a beacon of hope at a time when my options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed almost impossible. Not only did she go above and beyond for me, but she did it so quickly and efficiently that it was amazing!”
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