Kroner Chiropractic treats injured workers in Yakima, Washington under the state’s Labor and Industries (L&I) workers’ compensation system. In Washington, injured workers have the legal right to choose their own attending provider, and a chiropractor in the L&I Medical Provider Network can serve in that role, managing treatment and reporting progress to L&I. Care under an accepted claim generally carries no out-of-pocket cost.
Getting hurt at work should not mean fighting the system alone
You were injured doing your job. Now, on top of the pain, you are handed paperwork, deadlines, and a system with its own vocabulary, and you are trying to make sense of it while also worrying about your paycheck.
Most injured workers in Washington do not know the single most useful fact about their situation: you get to choose your provider.
Your rights as an injured worker in Washington
Washington runs its workers’ compensation program differently from most states. Rather than employers buying coverage from private insurers, the state administers it through the Department of Labor and Industries, known as L&I.
A few things worth knowing:
You choose your attending provider. Under Washington law, injured workers have the right to select their own attending provider. You are not required to keep seeing whoever your employer sent you to first.
A chiropractor can be your attending provider. Washington’s rules recognize chiropractors as attending providers for injured workers, provided they are part of the L&I Medical Provider Network. The attending provider manages your treatment, reports progress to your claims manager, and assesses your ability to return to work.
Your first visit is covered. Your initial visit for a workplace injury is covered even before your claim has been approved.
Accepted claims mean no out-of-pocket cost. When your claim is accepted, covered treatment is paid through L&I.
Kroner Chiropractic is part of the L&I Medical Provider Network, so Dr. Kroner can serve as your attending provider.
Two kinds of work injury, treated differently
Most work-related neck and back problems fall into one of two categories, and the distinction shapes the treatment plan.
- Joint and alignment problems, where vertebrae have shifted out of their normal position or stopped moving properly, usually from lifting, repetitive loading, or sustained awkward positions.
- Soft tissue injuries, where the muscles, nerves, and connective tissue are damaged, as happens with whiplash and with sudden strains.
Both are musculoskeletal disorders, meaning they affect muscles, bones, joints, and the tendons and ligaments connecting them. Both are treatable, and both need to be identified accurately before treatment begins, which is what the examination and on-site imaging are for.
What we handle
- Examination and diagnosis of your work-related injury
- Treatment planning built around returning you to work safely
- On-site digital X-rays when imaging is needed
- The documentation and progress reporting your claim requires
- Coordination with your claims manager
- Referral when your injury needs care outside our scope
The common work injuries we see in the Yakima Valley include back and neck strains from lifting, repetitive-motion injuries from agricultural and warehouse work, shoulder injuries, and injuries from slips and falls.
How to start
- Call us at (509) 972-4000 and tell us it is a work injury.
- Come in for an evaluation. Bring your claim number if you have one. If you have not filed yet, we can help you understand the process.
- We build your treatment plan and handle the reporting your claim requires.
- We track your progress toward returning to work and document it throughout.
Common Questions
Can I choose my own doctor for an L&I claim in Washington?
Yes. Washington law gives injured workers the right to choose their attending provider. The provider must be part of the L&I Medical Provider Network. You are not obligated to continue with a provider your employer selected.
Can a chiropractor be my attending provider on an L&I claim?
Yes. Washington’s workers’ compensation rules recognize chiropractors as attending providers when they are members of the L&I Medical Provider Network. The attending provider manages treatment, reports to L&I, and evaluates readiness to return to work.
Will I pay anything out of pocket for a work injury?
Under an accepted L&I claim, covered treatment is paid through L&I rather than by you. Your first visit for a workplace injury is covered even if your claim has not yet been approved.
What if I already started treatment somewhere else?
You can transfer your care. Washington allows injured workers to change attending providers, and no authorization is required to transfer care to a chiropractor. Call us and we will explain the steps.
What should I bring to my first work injury appointment?
Your claim number if you have one, your employer’s information, and anything you have already received from L&I. If you have not filed a claim yet, come in anyway. Your first visit is covered and we can walk you through filing.
How long does treatment for a work injury take?
It depends on the injury. After examining you we will give you a realistic timeline and set treatment goals tied to returning to your job safely, which is also what your claim requires us to document.
Call (509) 972-4000 to start your work injury care.