Workers’ Compensation Chiropractic in Seattle |
Treatment & Second-Opinion Evaluations

Injured at Work? You Have Options.

A workplace injury can derail your life—physically, financially, and emotionally. Whether you hurt your back lifting, developed wrist pain from repetitive tasks, or were injured in a fall, you deserve care that’s focused on getting you functional and back to work on your terms.

At Folweiler Chiropractic in Northgate, Dr. David Folweiler provides both direct treatment for work injuries and second-opinion evaluations for complex or stalled claims. He’s been working within the Washington State workers’ compensation system since the 1990s and understands how to navigate L&I cases effectively.

He has served on advisory committees for L&I and has an intimate knowledge of the services the system offers and how to navigate them.

NEW PATIENTS

Chiropractic Treatment for Work Injuries

If you’ve been hurt on the job and need a chiropractor who accepts L&I, Folweiler Chiropractic can help. Dr. Folweiler treats a wide range of work-related injuries, including:

Back and neck injuries from lifting, bending, or repetitive strain
Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand pain
Hip, knee, and ankle injuries
Headaches related to workplace posture or trauma

Care is hands-on, individualized, and focused on restoring the function you need to return to work comfortably. There are no cookie-cutter protocols—just practical treatment, clear communication, and thorough documentation for your claim.

Workers’ Compensation Second-Opinion Evaluations

If your case feels stuck—months of treatment with limited progress, unclear diagnosis, or uncertainty about next steps—a second-opinion evaluation can help. Dr. Folweiler has performed these evaluations since the early 2000s, and they now make up a significant part of his practice.

Who requests these evaluations?

Injured workers looking for clarity about their condition and options
Attending providers seeking a fresh perspective on a complex case

A second-opinion evaluation is most typically a one-time consultation. Dr. Folweiler serves as a consultant—your current provider stays in charge of ongoing care. If you have significant residuals at the end of care, you might return for an impairment rating examination that could result in a cash payment to you.

What a Second-Opinion Evaluation Includes

Thorough review of your injury history, treatment to date, and current symptoms
Hands-on examination focused on function and movement
Clear explanation of findings in plain language
Identification of treatment options that may not have been tried
Specific recommendations for job modifications or activity changes
Detailed written report for you, your provider, and the insurer

The goal is clarity, not confusion—so everyone involved is working from the same information.

For Referring Providers

If you’re a chiropractor whose patient isn’t progressing as expected, Dr. Folweiler offers collegial, no-pressure second-opinion evaluations. He understands the documentation demands of L&I cases and provides reports designed to support your continued care—not to take over the case.

To refer a patient, call our office or fax an attending provider’s referral form to 206-523-5312. We can typically get your worker in for an evaluation within 1-2 weeks. Turnaround on evaluations is typically prompt (within a week of seeing the worker), and Dr. Folweiler is available to discuss findings by phone when helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions: Workers’ Comp Second Opinions

Who can request a second-opinion evaluation?

Attending providers can refer patients directly to us. As long as the claim is open and no IME has been scheduled, attending providers can refer for consultation at any time. You do not need to wait 120 days when it is otherwise required. If you have a complicated or stalled case, refer sooner rather than later.

Will Dr. Folweiler become my new treating doctor?

No. These evaluations are consultative. Your current provider remains in charge of your ongoing care.

What happens during the evaluation?

You’ll discuss your injury history and current symptoms, undergo a focused physical exam, and receive a clear explanation of findings. Dr. Folweiler will answer your questions and outline options.

How long does it take?

Most evaluations take 60-90 minutes. The written report is typically completed within a few business days.

What if English is not the worker’s preferred language?

We will arrange for a live, in-person interpreter who speaks the worker’s native language whenever possible, at no cost to the worker or the referring provider.

Will this help my claim?

A second opinion can clarify your diagnosis, identify additional treatment options, and provide documentation that helps align you, your provider, and the insurer. It often helps move stalled cases forward.

Is this covered by L&I?

Yes. There is no cost to the worker or referring provider.

Preguntas Frecuentes: Segundas Opiniones de Compensación Laboral

¿Quién puede solicitar una evaluación de segunda opinión?

Los proveedores tratantes pueden referir pacientes directamente a nosotros. Siempre que el reclamo esté abierto y no se haya programado un IME (Examen Médico Independiente), los proveedores tratantes pueden solicitar una consulta en cualquier momento. No es necesario esperar los 120 días cuando es requerido. Si tiene un caso complicado y/o estancado, refiera más temprano que tarde.

¿Se convertirá el Dr. Folweiler en mi nuevo médico tratante?

No. Estas evaluaciones son de consulta. Su proveedor actual sigue a cargo de su atención continua.

¿Qué sucede durante la evaluación?

Usted discutirá su historial de lesiones y síntomas actuales, se someterá a un examen físico enfocado y recibirá una explicación clara de los hallazgos. El Dr. Folweiler responderá sus preguntas y describirá las opciones disponibles.

¿Cuánto tiempo toma?

La mayoría de las evaluaciones toman de 60 a 90 minutos. El informe escrito generalmente se completa dentro de unos pocos días hábiles.

¿Qué pasa si el inglés no es el idioma preferido del trabajador?

Coordinaremos un intérprete en vivo y en persona que hable el idioma nativo del trabajador siempre que sea posible, sin costo para el trabajador ni para el proveedor que refiere.

¿Esto ayudará a mi reclamo?

Una segunda opinión puede aclarar su diagnóstico, identificar opciones de tratamiento adicionales y proporcionar documentación que ayude a alinear a usted, su proveedor y la aseguradora. A menudo ayuda a avanzar casos estancados.

¿Está cubierto por L&I?

Sí. No hay costo para el trabajador ni para el proveedor que refiere.

Schedule a Workers’ Compensation Appointment

Whether you need treatment for a new work injury or a second opinion on a case that’s gone sideways, reach out to Folweiler Chiropractic. Most appointments are available within 1-2 weeks.

Serving injured workers and referring providers throughout Seattle and the surrounding communities in the Puget Sound region.

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Workers’ Compensation Chiropractic in Seattle | Treatment & Second-Opinion Evaluations