As of Jan. 1, 2023, companies must pay for and provide workers’ compensation coverage for their drivers. The drivers are covered workers only while they are on dispatch platform time and passenger platform time.
L&I’s Insurance Services division operates the Washington State Fund, the workers' compensation insurance program. Qualifying employers may choose to self insure.
Workers’ compensation pays for medical care directly related to your accident or illness. If you are unable to work following your injury, you may be eligible for reimbursem*nt of a portion of your lost wages. L&I also provides many services and programs such as vocational rehabilitation or the Stay-at-Work program that can help you heal and return to work. There are also disability or pension payments for the severely injured who can no longer work due to their injury.
Workers’ compensation insurance does not cover repairs to your vehicle.
What you should do
If you are injured during dispatch platform time or passenger platform time, there are two important things to do immediately: get medical help and tell your TNC.
If you get medical help for your injury, tell your medical professional your injury happened while you were working and they will help you file a workplace injury claim with L&I.
You can also file an injury claim by calling toll free 1-877-561-FILE (3453) or online at www.Lni.wa.gov/FileFast.
L&I may contact an injured driver who files a claim to verify whether the driver was in covered status (dispatch platform time and passenger platform time) when the injury occurred.
New death benefits
As of June 6, 2024, death benefits are available to beneficiaries of TNC drivers who die while logged into the system and available for work but are waiting for a ride to be assigned. Beneficiaries may already apply for death benefits for TNC drivers who die during dispatch platform time or passenger platform time.
To qualify for the new death benefits, at the time of death, the driver must be:
- Logged onto the TNC’s digital network as available for work.
- Physically inside the TNC driver’s vehicle or within the immediate proximity of the vehicle.
Beneficiaries may file a claim for benefits within one year from the date of the TNC driver’s death.
Resources
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