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Questions & Answers

What can I expect from the Field Audit by Liberty Bay Consultants, LLC?

The Field Audit is an in-depth review of current and past insurance premiums paid or assessed by the Department. This service provides you with an added tool in the administration of your workmans’ compensation program. No one has the depth of knowledge to challenge the accuracy of the calculations. Liberty Bay Consultants can assure you that your premiums have been calculated correctly.

How are premiums refunds obtained?

When Liberty Bay Consultants uncover a premium overcharge, we correct the error, causing the overcharge to be refunded to you. Since we “speak the language”, we work with you to resolve the issue.

Will you advise me if coverage of my classification(s) is wrong?

Yes! No audit of your workers’ compensation account is complete without this analysis. No matter how large a refund we may obtain for you, Liberty Bay Consultants will point out errors and inefficiencies that may affect your company. This service is performed at no charge during the Field Audit or Reconsideration process.

Home much time will this require?

We know your time is valuable. Over the years we know how to streamline our expert work process to involve as little of your time as possible. We perform a detailed analysis of the information. We do require a Certificate of Owners Representation to give us permission to look at your confidential internal files at the Department of Labor and Industries, Employment Security, and Department of Revenue if needed.

Please see How You Can Benefit from Our Services at SERVICES

Why do we need you to analyze our company’s reporting?

All reporting agencies in Washington do not talk to each other: Labor and Industries, Employment Security, Department of Revenue, Secretary of State, even the IRS. Departments within each agency have different Washington Administrative Codes interpreted from the Revised Code of Washington statutes. Then, there are the departmental interpretations of these Codes. There is no way you as a small business owner can keep track of these internal procedures and policies. The experts at Liberty Bay Consultants have worked with these agencies for years.

What if errors are found that could cost us additional premiums dollars?

Our job is to tell you if your premiums were calculated in accordance with the rules and procedures set out to govern that work. Because of confidentially and the ethics under which we operate, we tell you. In this way you are assured that no such problems with unanticipated premiums increase will arise.

Independent Contractors—what are they really?

RCW 51.08.180 states that an independent contractor who provides essentially personal labor is covered by industrial insurance. If the individual provides the labor of others (has their own employees), they are exempt. If the individual provides equipment (beyond ordinary hand tools), and they are not controlled in the use of the equipment, they are exempt. In these instances the individual is providing more than their personal labor.

What choices do you have after the audit?

  1. Pay the balance due within 30 days
  2. Set up a payment plan
  3. Ask for Reconsideration of the audit within 30 days
  4. Appeal the audit findings to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA).

What are the four penalties that the Department can impose?

  1. Unregistered Employer
  2. Insufficient Records
  3. Recordkeeping
  4. Misrepresentation