LAUREL J. ANDERSON, Paralegal

For the past 30 years, Laurel J. Anderson has handled a large caseload of state fund and self-insured claims, gaining a reputation throughout the workers’ comp community as one of the most effective – and relentless – advocates for injured workers in Washington state. She has been the chair of the Washington Association for Justice paralegal section, and sat on the board of Women in Workers’ Compensation (now Professionals in Workers’ Compensation) for five years, serving as an elected officer for two years. She has been a featured speaker at several educational seminars on workers’ compensation.

Born and raised in the Seattle area, Laurel obtained her B.A. from the University of Washington, and her post-graduate degree in Paralegal Studies as well from the UW in 1986. Following graduation, she worked for the Attorney General’s Office as one of the first two paralegals to represent the Department of Labor & Industries before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals. There, she was highly regarded for bringing a high volume of cases to settlement via mediation. In 1990, she went to work for a well regarded Seattle workers’ comp law firm, where she championed the cases of injured workers through January 2015.

She joined WA Workers’ Comp Law in February 2015 with Cal Jackson to continue to provide excellent personal client service to workers injured on the job.

CAL JACKSON, Attorney/Principal

Cal Jackson worked for 28 years as an Industrial Appeals Judge for the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals before retiring as Assistant Chief in 2014. The board is the state agency that holds hearings when an injured worker or employer disagrees with Department of Labor & Industries orders. Cal presided over formal hearings and wrote decisions regarding injured workers’ entitlement to benefits. He later became a mediation/review judge, holding conferences to facilitate settlement of cases prior to hearing and making recommendations to the board when parties disagreed with the hearing judges’ determination.

His judicial position required an in-depth understanding of case law at both the board and appellate levels. As Assistant Chief Industrial Appeals Judge, he was responsible for responding to interlocutory appeals by parties during litigation. He also supervised all of the hearing and mediation/review judges at the board’s Tacoma office. Born and raised in Tacoma, Cal obtained his law degree from the University of Oregon. He is an EAGLE member of the Washington State Association for Justice.

He formed WA Workers’ Comp Law in February 2015 with Laurel Anderson to offer his knowledge and skills to benefit workers injured on the job.

Go Hawks, Mariners, Dawgs and Sounders!

Laurel and Cal are huge Seattle sports fans. They love the Seahawks, root for the Mariners to return to their former glory, and are dedicated enthusiasts of all UW Huskies athletic teams.