Reopening a Closed L&I Claim When Your Condition Gets Worse
A closed Washington L&I claim is not necessarily closed forever. If the condition caused by your work injury has objectively worsened since the claim closed, you can apply to reopen it using L&I form F242-079-000, Application to Reopen Claim Due to Worsening of Condition. You and a doctor both complete it, and the doctor must document the medical evidence of worsening.
Timing matters. To be eligible for wage-replacement (time-loss) and disability benefits, the application must be filed within seven years of the date the claim first closed (ten years for eye injuries). After seven years you can still apply for medical treatment, but additional disability benefits are at the discretion of the L&I Director.
Many clinics decline reopening exams because the records are old and the paperwork is unfamiliar. Work Well Clinics accepts reopened claims and reopening applications at our Seattle and Everett clinics, whether or not we treated the original injury.
How a reopening application works
1. Call (425) 458-0054 with your claim number and, if you have them, your closing order and the last medical records from before closure.
2. Reopening exam. Dr. Abaño compares your current findings to the condition documented at closure and records the objective evidence of worsening — imaging changes, measurable loss of motion or strength, new neurological findings, or a new need for treatment.
3. We complete the provider portion and submit the application with the supporting chart note. You complete the worker portion at the visit.
4. L&I reviews and issues an order. L&I generally decides within 90 days and may extend that once. If the claim is reopened, treatment is authorized and, when you qualify, time-loss resumes. If it is denied, you have 60 days to protest or appeal, and we provide the medical documentation that supports you.
What “objective worsening” means
L&I reopens claims on objective medical evidence, not on pain alone. Objective evidence means findings another examiner could verify: an MRI or X-ray that shows a change since closure, range of motion measured in degrees, strength or reflex changes, atrophy, or a documented new need for surgery or other treatment. Bringing your closing records lets us show the change directly.
If your claim is still open but months or years old, you do not need to reopen it — see older open L&I claims, or transfer the claim to us as your attending provider.
Reopening an L&I claim — frequently asked questions
How long after my claim closed can I reopen it?
For medical treatment only, you can apply at any time. For time-loss and disability benefits, apply within seven years of the date the claim was first closed (ten years for eye injuries). After seven years, only the L&I Director may grant additional disability benefits, so the application is usually for medical care.
My original doctor retired or the clinic closed. Can you do the reopening exam?
Yes. Any provider in the L&I Medical Provider Network can perform the exam and complete the provider portion of the application. We request the old records from L&I and the prior clinic and become your attending provider if the claim is reopened.
What happens if L&I denies the reopening?
You receive an order you can protest to L&I or appeal to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals within 60 days. Denials are often about missing objective findings, so a well-documented exam matters. We provide the chart notes and, when needed, work with your attorney.
Will I receive time-loss while the application is pending?
Time-loss does not start until L&I reopens the claim, which is one reason to file promptly once you notice worsening. If the claim is reopened and you cannot work, we certify time-loss and complete the Activity Prescription Form from that point.
Condition worse since your claim closed?
Call (425) 458-0054 or request an appointment online. Attorneys and referring providers: fax records to (360) 539-1380 or use our Referring Providers page.