How to Fill Out Washington L&I Notice of Decision Protest (F242-393) + FAQs

A Washington L&I protest is a written request that asks the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to change a decision it made on your workers’ compensation claim, and you can file it as an injured worker, an employer, or an attending doctor. Many people search for a single numbered “protest form” called F242-393, but L&I does not publish one fixed fill-in protest form. Instead, the rules in RCW 51.52.050 let you protest with a simple letter or through the online portal, and L&I explains the exact steps in its official fact sheet, How to Protest a Decision.

Because the protest is built from a small set of required parts, this guide treats those parts as the “fields” you must fill in, the same way you would fill in boxes on a paper form. Missing even one part, like your claim number or the decision date, can slow your protest or cause L&I to misroute it, and missing the 60-day deadline can make the decision permanent under RCW 51.52.050. Roughly 100,000 workers’ compensation claims are filed in Washington each year, and a share of those workers disagree with a closure, denial, or benefit amount and choose to protest.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📝 How to write a valid protest letter line by line, including every required part L&I looks for.
• ⏰ How the strict 60-day deadline works, plus the shorter 15-day rule for vocational decisions.
• 💻 How to file your protest online, by mail, or in person, with the exact addresses and portal.
• 👤 Three full real-world examples that walk named workers through a finished protest.
• ⚠️ The most common mistakes that delay or void a protest, and how to avoid each one.

What the Protest Is and Who Must File It

A protest, sometimes called a “request for reconsideration,” is a written statement telling L&I you disagree with a decision on your claim and want it reviewed again. L&I makes its decisions through formal letters and “orders,” and an order becomes final and binding if no one protests or appeals it in time, under RCW 51.52.050. The protest is the first and simplest way to challenge that order without going straight to a formal appeal.

Three groups have the right to protest a claim decision: the injured worker, the employer, and the worker’s attending doctor or health-care provider, as L&I states on its protest or appeal page. Most protests come from injured workers who disagree with a claim denial, a claim closure, or the size of a benefit or impairment award. Employers often protest because a decision affects their claim costs and insurance rates, while doctors may protest decisions about treatment or billing.

The agency that receives and decides your protest is L&I itself, specifically the claim manager assigned to your file. If L&I reviews your protest and still disagrees with you, your next step is a formal appeal to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA), a separate state agency that holds hearings under RCW 51.52.060. Knowing this chain matters: a protest goes back to L&I, while an appeal goes outside L&I to the BIIA.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather everything before you write, because a complete protest moves faster and is far less likely to be placed on hold for missing information. L&I’s fact sheet confirms that a protest should clearly tie your name, claim number, and the decision you dispute together in one document.

Here is the pre-filing checklist of what to collect:

• The L&I decision letter or order you disagree with, because you need its exact date and wording, and without it you cannot prove your protest is timely.
• Your L&I claim number, because L&I files everything by claim number, and a missing or wrong number can route your protest to the wrong file or stall it.
• Your full legal name as it appears on the claim, because a name mismatch makes it harder for the claim manager to match your protest to your record.
• The name of your claim manager, printed on your L&I correspondence, because addressing the protest to that person speeds the review.
• Your current mailing address and phone number, because L&I mails its next order to you and may call for more information.
• Medical records or doctor’s reports, because if L&I closed your claim you must show your current condition, treatment plan, and prognosis to support reopening or continued benefits.
• The date you received the decision, not just the date printed on it, because the 60-day clock runs from your receipt date under RCW 51.52.050.
• A clear written reason you disagree, because a protest with no stated reason gives the claim manager nothing specific to reconsider.
• Any supporting evidence such as wage records, witness statements, or job descriptions, because facts beat opinions when L&I reviews the file.

Marcus, an electrician whose knee claim was closed, learns this the hard way when his first protest sits idle for weeks because he forgot to attach his surgeon’s note showing he still needs treatment.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

There is no single official “F242-393 protest form” to download, which surprises many filers who expect a fill-in PDF. The number F242-393 in L&I’s library is actually tied to the Pension Benefits Questionnaire, a different document used for pension claims, so searching for it will not produce a protest box-form. Instead, L&I tells you to write a letter or use the online portal, and it spells this out in its fact sheet, How to Protest a Decision.

You can access your claim and start an online protest through the Claim & Account Center, where you set up a password-protected account tied to your claim number. If you prefer paper, you simply type or neatly write a letter on plain paper and mail it to the Claims Section address listed later in this guide. Both methods are valid, and as the Washington Law Center explains, a protest needs no “magic words” or special form to count.

If you would rather file a formal appeal instead of a protest, the BIIA offers its own electronic form on the BIIA website. For most workers, though, the protest letter is the faster first step, and you control exactly what it says.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the L&I Protest Line by Line

Treat each required part below as its own “field.” L&I’s protest instructions list these parts, and including all of them turns a plain letter into a complete, valid protest.

Field 1: Date of the Protest

This field asks for the date you are writing and sending the protest. Write today’s calendar date at the top of your letter, using a clear format such as June 3, 2026. For an online protest, the system records the submission date for you, but you should still mention it in the body.

For example, Maria Lopez types June 3, 2026 at the top of her letter the day she mails it. A common edge case is when you write the letter on one day but mail it later; always date it the day you actually send it, since L&I cares about timing. The most common mistake here is leaving the date off entirely, which makes it harder to prove you acted inside the 60-day window and can weaken your record if a dispute arises later. Many people wrongly believe the postmark alone proves timeliness, but L&I measures by the date it receives your protest, so an early send date protects you.

Field 2: Claim Manager’s Name and L&I Address

This field asks who the protest goes to and where. Find your claim manager’s name on any recent L&I letter and address the protest to that person at the Claims Section, then plan to send it to P.O. Box 44291, Olympia, WA 98504-4291. Writing the manager’s name routes the protest straight to the person who knows your file.

For example, Marcus writes Attn: Claim Manager J. Reyes, Department of Labor & Industries at the top of his letter. If you cannot find a claim manager name, address it to the “Claims Section” generally, which still reaches L&I. A common mistake is sending the protest to the BIIA address by accident, which delays handling because the BIIA processes appeals, not protests. Some filers think any L&I office will do, but using the exact Claims Section P.O. Box from the fact sheet keeps your protest from being misrouted.

Field 3: Your Name and L&I Claim Number

This field asks for your full legal name and your claim number, and L&I wants them on every page. Write your name exactly as it appears on your claim, followed by your claim number, near the top of page one and in the header of each additional page. This is the single most important identifier on the document.

For example, Janet Carter writes Janet Carter, Claim No. SA-12345 in the header of all three pages of her protest. A frequent edge case is a name change after marriage or divorce; use the name on the existing claim and note the change separately so records still match. The most common mistake is putting the claim number on page one only, which is risky because pages can get separated during scanning and an unmarked page may be lost from your file. People often assume their name alone is enough, but L&I files strictly by claim number, so leaving it off can stall everything.

Field 4: The Decision You Are Protesting

This field asks you to identify the exact decision by its type and date. State plainly what L&I decided and when, such as a claim closure, a claim denial, or a benefit amount, and give the date printed on the order. This tells the claim manager precisely which order to pull and reconsider.

For example, Maria writes I am protesting the order dated May 12, 2026, that denied my claim for a back injury. If more than one recent decision exists, name each one separately so there is no confusion about scope. A common mistake is vaguely writing “I disagree with my claim,” which forces the manager to guess and can lead to the wrong order being reviewed. Many filers believe L&I will figure out which decision they mean, but naming the date and type, as the protest page directs, removes all doubt.

Field 5: The Reason You Disagree

This field is the heart of the protest and asks why the decision is wrong. Explain your reasons in plain, direct sentences, pointing to facts, medical findings, or errors in L&I’s reasoning. The clearer and more specific you are, the easier it is for the claim manager to act in your favor.

For example, Marcus writes My claim was closed, but my surgeon says I still need physical therapy and am not yet at maximum medical improvement. A useful edge case is when you disagree with only part of a decision; say exactly which part, so the rest is not disturbed. The most common mistake is writing only that the decision is “unfair” without explaining the facts, which gives the manager nothing concrete to change. Some people think emotional appeals carry weight, but the Washington Law Center notes that clear reasons and evidence matter far more than wording.

Field 6: Supporting Evidence and Attachments

This field covers the documents that back up your reasons, especially medical proof. If L&I closed your claim, attach a report from your doctor outlining your current condition, your treatment program, and your prognosis, as the protest page requires. Attachments turn your statements into evidence the manager can rely on.

For example, Janet attaches a two-page report from her treating physician describing her ongoing shoulder limits. A common edge case is when your doctor has not yet written a report; send the protest on time anyway and tell L&I the records are coming, so you protect the deadline. The most common mistake is sending the original of a medical record instead of a copy, which risks losing the only copy you have. People often assume L&I already has all their medical records, but the claim manager may not have the newest ones, so attaching current copies prevents a “more information needed” hold.

Field 7: Your Signature, Mailing Address, and Phone Number

This field asks you to sign the protest and give L&I a way to reach you. Sign and print your name at the bottom, then list your current mailing address and a phone number where you can be reached. L&I mails its next order to this address and may call if it needs more facts.

For example, Maria signs her letter and prints Maria Lopez, 1420 Pine St, Yakima, WA 98901, (509) 555-0148 below her signature. If you recently moved, use your newest address and update L&I separately so the next order does not go astray. The most common mistake is forgetting to include a phone number, which can stretch out the review when the manager needs a quick answer and can only mail you. Some filers think a signature is optional for an online protest, but identifying yourself clearly is always wise so L&I can confirm the protest is truly from you.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

These three named workers show how a finished protest looks for the most common situations: a denied claim, a closed claim, and a disputed impairment award.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez protests a denied claim

Protest Part	What Maria Enters
Date of protest	June 3, 2026
Addressed to	Claims Section, Attn: Claim Manager, L&I, P.O. Box 44291
Name and claim number	Maria Lopez, Claim No. SA-22871 (on every page)
Decision protested	Order dated May 12, 2026 denying my back-injury claim
Reason for disagreement	The injury happened at work while lifting boxes; my doctor confirms it
Supporting evidence	Attached: clinic report and supervisor’s incident note
Mailing address and phone	1420 Pine St, Yakima, WA 98901, (509) 555-0148
Filing method	Online through the Claim & Account Center

Scenario 2: Marcus Green protests a closed claim

Protest Part	What Marcus Enters
Date of protest	June 5, 2026
Addressed to	Claim Manager J. Reyes, Claims Section, L&I
Name and claim number	Marcus Green, Claim No. SB-31044 (on every page)
Decision protested	Order dated April 28, 2026 closing my knee claim
Reason for disagreement	My surgeon says I still need physical therapy and am not at maximum improvement
Supporting evidence	Attached: surgeon’s report and updated treatment plan
Mailing address and phone	905 Birch Ave, Spokane, WA 99201, (509) 555-0192
Filing method	Mailed to P.O. Box 44291, Olympia, WA 98504-4291

Scenario 3: Janet Carter protests a low impairment award

Protest Part	What Janet Enters
Date of protest	June 9, 2026
Addressed to	Claims Section, L&I, P.O. Box 44291
Name and claim number	Janet Carter, Claim No. SA-12345 (on every page)
Decision protested	Order dated May 20, 2026 setting permanent partial disability award
Reason for disagreement	The award undervalues my permanent shoulder loss; an independent rating is higher
Supporting evidence	Attached: independent medical impairment rating report
Mailing address and phone	33 Maple Ln, Tacoma, WA 98402, (253) 555-0167
Filing method	Mailed certified, with return receipt kept as proof

How to File the Completed Protest

You have three ways to deliver your protest, and L&I accepts all of them as long as it receives the protest within the deadline. Choose the channel that gives you the best proof of timely filing.

Online through the Claim & Account Center. Go to the Claim & Account Center, set up a password-protected account, and submit your protest electronically; there is no fee, and the system records your submission date. Processing of the protest itself usually takes 30 to 60 days, and your proof of filing is the on-screen confirmation, which you should screenshot or print.

By mail. Send your signed letter and copies of attachments to Claims Section, Department of Labor & Industries, P.O. Box 44291, Olympia, WA 98504-4291, as listed on the protest page. There is no filing fee; for proof, use certified mail with a return receipt so you can show the date L&I received it.

In person or by phone follow-up. While protests are normally written, you can call the L&I claim manager or the toll-free line at 1-800-547-8367 with questions, and you may hand-deliver documents to an L&I office. Keep a stamped copy as your proof of filing. If you instead file a formal appeal, you can submit it online, by mail, or in person to the BIIA at PO Box 42401, Olympia, WA 98504-2401, or 2430 Chandler Court SW, Olympia.

What Happens After You File

Once L&I receives your protest, your claim manager reviews the file and does one of three things, according to the fact sheet. The manager may change the original decision and send you a new order, decide the original decision was correct and reaffirm it, or decide more information is needed and place the decision on hold while requesting records from you, your doctor, or your employer.

A decision on your protest usually takes 30 to 60 days, and sometimes longer if more information is needed. If you have not heard back within 30 days, L&I advises contacting your claim manager directly to check the status.

If the manager reaffirms the original decision and you still disagree, your next move is a formal appeal to the BIIA within the time limit printed on the new order, generally 60 days under RCW 51.52.060. Free help is available through Project Help at 1-800-255-9752 and the CLEAR legal line at 1-888-201-1014, though contacting them does not by itself count as a protest.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Protest

Each mistake below has cost real workers their benefits or weeks of delay, so check your protest against this list before you send it.

• Missing the 60-day deadline, which makes the decision final and permanent under RCW 51.52.050.
• Forgetting the 15-day deadline for vocational benefit decisions, which is far shorter than the usual 60 days and easy to blow past.
• Leaving off your claim number, which can cause L&I to misfile or lose your protest.
• Putting your name and claim number on only the first page, which risks loose pages getting separated from your file.
• Failing to name the specific decision and its date, which leaves the claim manager guessing which order to review.
• Giving no concrete reason for disagreeing, which gives L&I nothing specific to reconsider.
• Sending original medical records instead of copies, which can permanently lose your only copy.
• Skipping required medical proof on a closed claim, which leads to a “more information needed” hold.
• Mailing the protest to the BIIA appeal address instead of the Claims Section, which delays processing.
• Forgetting to include a phone number, which slows the review when the manager needs a quick answer.
• Using no proof of mailing, which leaves you unable to show the protest arrived on time.
• Assuming a phone call to Project Help or CLEAR counts as a protest, which it does not.

Do’s and Don’ts

These quick rules keep your protest valid and on track.

Do:

• Do file within 60 days, because a late protest makes the decision final, per RCW 51.52.050.
• Do put your name and claim number on every page, because L&I files strictly by claim number.
• Do state the exact decision and date, because it tells the manager which order to reconsider.
• Do attach current medical reports, because evidence supports your reasons far better than words alone.
• Do keep proof of filing, because you may need to prove the protest arrived on time.
• Do address it to your named claim manager, because it routes the protest to the right person fast.

Don’t:

• Don’t send original documents, because L&I keeps copies and you may never get the original back.
• Don’t wait until day 59, because mail delays can push receipt past the deadline.
• Don’t write only that the decision is “unfair,” because vague complaints give nothing to reconsider.
• Don’t mail a protest to the BIIA, because that office handles appeals, not protests.
• Don’t ignore the 15-day vocational rule, because that deadline is much shorter than the standard one.
• Don’t assume L&I has your newest records, because the manager may need fresh copies attached.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

You can file a protest yourself or hire a workers’ compensation attorney, and each path has trade-offs.

Pros of filing on your own:

• It is free, because a protest carries no filing fee.
• It is fast, because you control when the letter goes out.
• It is simple, because no special form or legal language is required, as the Washington Law Center notes.
• It keeps you informed, because you read the file and write the reasons yourself.
• It works well for clear factual disputes, because many protests succeed on plain evidence.

Cons of filing on your own (and why help can pay off):

• You may miss the deadline, because tracking the 60-day or 15-day clock is easy to get wrong.
• You may understate medical proof, because lawyers know which reports L&I needs.
• You may weaken a later appeal, because the protest record carries into a BIIA hearing.
• You may misjudge complex impairment ratings, because those disputes turn on technical medical evidence.
• You may settle for too little, because a representative can spot benefits you did not claim.

Protest vs. Appeal: What Is the Difference?

Many filers confuse a protest with an appeal, but they go to different places and follow different rules.

Protest	Appeal
Goes back to L&I for reconsideration	Goes to the BIIA, outside L&I
Filed as a letter or online, no special form	Filed by letter or BIIA electronic form
Due within 60 days (15 days for vocational)	Due within 60 days of the decision under RCW 51.52.060
Reviewed by your claim manager	Decided through a formal hearing process
Often the faster, simpler first step	Usually the next step if the protest fails

FAQs

Is there an official L&I form numbered F242-393 for protests?

No. L&I does not publish a numbered protest form. You file a protest as a letter or online, and the number F242-393 actually belongs to the separate Pension Benefits Questionnaire.

Is there a deadline to file my protest?

Yes. L&I must receive your written protest within 60 calendar days of the date you received the decision, or just 15 days for vocational benefit decisions.

Can my employer or doctor file a protest too?

Yes. Workers, employers, and attending medical providers all have the right to protest a claim decision, according to L&I’s official protest page.

Do I have to write my claim number on every page?

Yes. L&I files by claim number and instructs you to put your name and claim number on all pages so loose pages are not lost.

Do I write the decision date or my receipt date in the protest?

Yes. Include the date printed on the L&I order, but remember the 60-day clock runs from the date you received the decision, not the date it was issued.

Can I file my protest online?

Yes. You can submit it through the Claim & Account Center after setting up a password-protected account tied to your claim number.

Do I need a lawyer to file a protest?

No. You can file on your own with a plain letter, and no special legal wording is required, though help can be valuable for complex cases.

Should I attach original medical records to my protest?

No. Always send copies, because L&I keeps what you submit and you may not get an original back.

Do I need to state a reason in the “reason you disagree” part?

Yes. A specific reason is required so the claim manager knows what to reconsider; “it’s unfair” alone is not enough.

Does calling Project Help count as filing a protest?

No. Contacting Project Help or CLEAR gives advice only and does not protest the decision; you must follow the written steps.

Can I skip the protest and appeal straight to the BIIA?

Yes. You may appeal directly to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals without first protesting to L&I.

What happens if I miss the 60-day deadline?

No further challenge is allowed in most cases, because the decision becomes final and binding under RCW 51.52.050 once the deadline passes.

How long will L&I take to decide my protest?

Yes, expect a wait: a decision usually takes 30 to 60 days, and longer if more information is needed; contact your claim manager if 30 days pass with no response.

Do I have to use a specific phrase like “I protest” for it to count?

No. No magic words are required; any clear written statement of disagreement that names the decision and your reasons qualifies as a protest.