Washington runs workers comp through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) monopolistic state fund. Estimate your 2026 WA settlement with marital-status-adjusted TTD rates and L&I PPD categories.
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| Category | Washington (WA) Rule |
|---|---|
| System type | Monopolistic state fund through L&I. Private workers comp insurance is not sold in Washington. Employers with at least $25 million in assets may qualify for self-insurance. |
| TTD benefit rate | Time-loss compensation: 60% of AWW for single workers with no dependents, up to 75% for married workers with dependents. Capped at a maximum set annually by L&I. |
| Waiting period | 3 days. If disability exceeds 14 days, the first 3 days are paid retroactively. |
| PPD system | Washington uses a unique category rating system instead of AMA percentage impairment. Each body part is rated into a category, and L&I assigns a fixed dollar award per category. |
| Filing deadline | 1 year from injury date for state-fund claims. 2 years from diagnosis for occupational disease. |
| Doctor choice | Employee selects own attending physician. |
| Settlement types | Structured settlements and compromise-and-release (C&R) agreements, both requiring L&I approval. C&R settlements closing medical rights are less common than in most states. |
Washington workers comp operates through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), a monopolistic state fund. Private insurance companies do not sell workers compensation policies in Washington. Every employer must obtain coverage through L&I or, if they meet the $25 million asset threshold and other qualifications, self-insure. This dual-track system (state fund vs. self-insured) creates two different claims processes within the same state.
For state-fund claims, L&I acts as both the insurer and the claims administrator. The worker files an Application for Benefits (form F242-130-000) with L&I, which assigns a claim manager. For self-insured employer claims, the employer's third-party administrator handles the claim, but L&I retains oversight and dispute resolution authority.
Unlike most states that use a flat two-thirds (66.67%) rate for TTD, Washington adjusts the rate based on the worker's marital status and number of dependents. Single workers with no dependents receive 60 percent of their pre-injury average weekly wage. Married workers or workers with dependents can receive up to 75 percent. This progressive structure means that workers with families receive higher replacement rates, recognizing that household expenses are typically higher.
Washington calls its TTD benefit time-loss compensation. The waiting period is 3 days, meaning the first 3 days of lost wages are not compensated unless the disability extends beyond 14 days, at which point the 3-day period is paid retroactively.
Washington uses a category rating system for permanent partial disability that is distinct from the AMA Guides impairment percentage system used by most states. Instead of assigning a percentage of whole-body impairment, Washington rates each injured body part into numbered categories. Each category corresponds to a fixed dollar award set annually by L&I.
This means that a worker's PPD award in Washington is not calculated by multiplying an impairment percentage by scheduled weeks and the weekly rate. Instead, the doctor rates the impairment into a category, and L&I looks up the corresponding award on its published schedule. This approach can produce significantly different PPD values than the AMA-based systems used in other states for the same physical impairment.
Washington allows large employers (those with at least $25 million in assets) to self-insure rather than participate in the L&I state fund. Self-insured employers handle their own claims administration, often through third-party administrators. However, L&I retains authority over disputes, and the worker can protest a self-insured employer's decision to L&I just as they can protest a state-fund decision.
The practical difference for workers is that self-insured employer claims may be processed faster or slower depending on the employer's administrative capacity. The benefit formulas and rates remain the same regardless of whether the employer is state-fund or self-insured.
Washington permits structured settlements and compromise-and-release (C&R) agreements, but both require L&I approval. C&R settlements that close future medical rights are less common in Washington than in many other states because L&I tends to be protective of workers' ongoing medical coverage. Structured settlements that keep medical rights open are more typical.
Workers who disagree with an L&I order can file a protest within 60 days. Protests go to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA), which conducts a formal hearing. BIIA decisions can be appealed to Superior Court.
Time-loss compensation: 60% to 75% of AWW depending on marital status and number of dependents
Washington adjusts the TTD rate based on marital status and number of dependents, ranging from 60% to 75% of AWW.
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) operates Washington's monopolistic workers comp state fund. Private insurance companies are not allowed to sell workers comp policies. Employers must get coverage through L&I or qualify for self-insurance with at least $25 million in assets.
Washington pays 60% of AWW to single workers without dependents and up to 75% to married workers or those with dependents. This is called time-loss compensation. The exact percentage depends on your specific family situation. Check L&I for the current rate table.
Instead of using AMA impairment percentages like most states, Washington rates permanent impairments into numbered categories. Each category corresponds to a fixed dollar award published annually by L&I. This system can produce different values than percentage-based systems for the same injury.
State-fund claims are administered directly by L&I. Self-insured employer claims are handled by the employer's third-party administrator, but L&I retains dispute resolution authority. The benefit rates and formulas are the same under both tracks.
You have 1 year from the date of injury for state-fund claims. For occupational disease, you have 2 years from the date of your doctor's diagnosis. Report the injury to your employer as soon as practicable.
Yes. Washington allows the injured worker to select their own attending physician. This is different from some states where the employer or insurer controls the initial provider selection.
You can file a protest within 60 days of the L&I order. Protests go to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) for a formal hearing. BIIA decisions can be further appealed to Superior Court.
No. SettlementCalculator.xyz is operated by Mustafa Bilgic, a non-attorney individual operator. This page provides educational information only. Consult a licensed attorney in Washington for legal advice about your specific claim.