Washington state employers got an early gift this year with the news that workers’ comp premiums will go down by an average of 5% in 2019. What one state department giveth, however, another may taketh away. That’s because the new…
We’ve calculated the most frequent causes of workplace injuries and it’s clear that being “struck by” a tool or object is by far the biggest risk in your workplace. This week, we focus on this huge cause of workers’…
Washington state employers face a great body of city, state and federal employment laws that they must navigate, and it would take a book to outline all of them. There are a few keys areas, however, that stand out…
Nine Ways to Earn Thousands with Washington Stay-At-Work After an employee is injured on the job, the best outcome is for he or she to get back to work as quickly as possible. That’s why Washington state will…
If you are a long-time Approach client or a frequent reader of Ask Approach, you’ve probably heard us compare workers’ comp to car insurance. They have some important things in common: They’re both types of insurance They’re both required…
We heard from several clients last week in response to a postcard about Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave. The man on the postcard is smiling, but anything labeled “Premium collection begins…” is bound to scare business owners. Here’s a…
When is it time for an employer to hire a workers’ comp attorney? Most claims are resolved quickly and without expensive court cases, but you may come across a claim that you either believe is fraudulent or which just…
Vocational retraining, or simply Voc (rhymes with yolk), begins when the employer is unable or unwilling to offer permanent work within the injured worker’s physical restrictions. The worker meets with a vocational consultant who reviews their work history, educational…
Each year, our safety team crosses the state visiting hundreds of Approach clients. As a group, our clients have a strong focus and dedication to safety, but every once in a while one rises above and stands out as…
Some claims for workplace injury or occupational disease are serious enough that surgery is needed. Others may involve a long recovery time for a variety of reasons. When either of these situations come up, the injured worker may be…