A Work Injury Lawyer Can Help Win Compensation
If you have been injured while working on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a state program administered by Oregon’s Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) and defined as a system of insurance that pays for workers’ medical treatment and lost wages regarding workplace injuries or illnesses. Workers’ comp is intended to provide medical, rehabilitation, and income benefits for workplace-related injuries, but, too often, employers and their insurance companies dispute or deny benefits and injured workers never receive what they are entitled to.
Workers’ comp is insurance, with premiums paid by employers, and since premiums go up when benefits are paid out, employers may look for ways to avoid paying. Insurance companies are out for profit and want to pay out as little as possible, and they have high-powered lawyers on their side, working to deny, minimize, or dispute benefits. In addition, Oregon rules and procedures for getting workers’ comp are complicated, and making mistakes in filing your claim can result in your claim being rejected.
Fortunately, if you or a loved one has been injured or someone has died from a work-related injury or illness, you do not have to fight for a workers’ comp settlement alone.
The Portland workers’ compensation attorneys at Strong Law know how to navigate the complexities of the Oregon workers’ compensation system, combat denials, and get you optimum benefits. In some circumstances, our legal team may also be able to help you go beyond workers’ comp and file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit for additional benefits.
We offer a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your workers’ compensation case and determine the best way to move forward. Do not lose out on the benefits you deserve. Call us today at 206-737-3496 to get started.
Workers’ compensation issues can be extraordinarily complicated and detailed, but no matter what type of problems you are having, it can help to have a legal professional on your side. However, while there are many attorneys out there, they are not created equal, and it is important to find one that has the experience and resources to handle your case. Here are some reasons why we feel Strong Law is your best choice:
When you have our Strong Law legal team on your side, we will start working on your behalf immediately. This is what we will do:
The Portland workers’ compensation attorneys at Strong Law understand Oregon workers’ compensation law and can help prove your eligibility for benefits and avoid having your claim denied or invalidated. Call us today to fight for the best possible settlement and the benefits you deserve.
Oregon state law requires that all employers who have one or more employees, including full or part-time employees, must have workers’ comp insurance. This requirement is only for employees — independent contractors, sole proprietors, corporate officers with at least 10% ownership of the company, and LLC members are not legally required to be covered. In exchange for providing coverage to workers, workers’ comp benefits employers by protecting them from liability lawsuits associated with workers’ injuries or illnesses.
Injured workers in Oregon have the right to file a claim, seek to have medical care covered, and access benefits for time off from being unable to work. To get benefits, you must tell your employer about your work-related injury or illness right away and fill out Form 801 “Report of Job Injury or Illness” and turn it into your employer. Your employer should provide this form and send it to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier within five days of your notice. If you do not report your work injury within 90 days, you could lose your rights to file a claim.
Injured employees have certain rights in Oregon, including the right to seek medical treatment with a doctor of their choice. This may be your doctor or a doctor or a managed care organization (MCO), depending on the specifics of your claim. If your claim is denied and you do not agree with the insurer’s decision, you have the right to appeal the decision.
You also have the right to be represented by an attorney at no cost or fees. Your Portland workers’ compensation attorney can help you fill out all paperwork, find and document any medical treatment, prepare you for interviews, and independent medical examinations (IMEs), and file any appeals.
"Just wanted to say thank you to Jed and his team at Strong Law. Not only was I happy with the outcome, but the entire process as a whole. I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone. Thanks again."
"I had a claim involving my own insurance company. I tried to negotiate with them, and they completely denied my claim – two times. I then hired Strong Law, and the change was instant. The insurance company immediately began negotiating, and Jed was able to secure an unbelievably good settlement. I will never again attempt to take-on an insurance company without Strong Law in my corner. Thank you!"
"I hired Strong Law after my car accident. Jed and his team worked hard on my case. They were professional and compassionate through my surgery and as I recovered, and they were awesome on communication. I got justice and awesome compensation. I would recommend Strong Law to anyone in my situation."
After a serious work injury, you are bound to have questions and concerns. These are best addressed at your free consultation, but to get you started, here are some answers to questions our attorneys are often asked:
What Is an Independent Medical Examination?
An Independent Medical Examination is an examination that your insurance provider may send you for. Examining doctors are paid, for by the insurer, so they usually are not really independent, and decisions often favor the provider. They may say that our condition is “pre-existing” or unrelated to the injury. At Strong Law, our Portland workers’ compensation attorneys know what to expect and how to overcome these medical opinions to get you fair benefits.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Workers’ Comp Case?
It is not necessary to have a lawyer for a workers’ compensation case, but it is desirable to have one who knows the work comp process and will represent your interests to the insurance company or judge to get the medical care, compensation, and/or training you need. Too often, injured workers who attempt to represent themselves may lose a legitimate workers’ compensation claim because they do not understand this complex system.
Who Pays Attorney’s Fees in a Workers’ Comp Case?
If your attorney wins your case, you are not responsible for attorney fees or expenses associated with your claim. If your denied workers’ compensation claim is overturned, your employer’s insurer pays the fees and costs.
What Types of Injuries Are Covered by Oregon Workers’ Comp?
The types of injuries typically covered by workers’ comp are:
What Are Workers’ Comp Death Benefits?
If a worker passes away due to a workplace injury or illness, their surviving spouse, children, and other eligible beneficiaries may receive death benefits in Oregon. These benefits include monthly payments, funeral expenses, and continued disability benefits if the worker was receiving permanent, total disability benefits at the time of their passing.
How are Workers’ Comp Settlements Paid?
Workers’ comp settlements in Oregon are paid as an agreed-upon amount of compensation, either as structured monthly payments or one lump sum. In exchange, the worker agrees not to pursue additional benefits or civil litigation concerning the claim in the future, and the claim is closed permanently.
When you have Strong Law on your side, our Portland workers’ compensation lawyers will be there to answer all your questions and keep you informed, throughout the entire legal process.
Oregon workers’ compensation provides benefits for work-related illnesses and injuries that include medical treatment, time loss, vocational retraining, and disability awards. There are specific requirements for each. Benefits may include:
Time loss benefits include replacement wages at the rate of 66 2/3 of your wages for missed time. To get this benefit, your treating doctor signs a note authorizing that you are off work for your Oregon workers’ compensation injury. The first three days you miss work may not be paid by the insurer unless you are hospitalized or unable to return to work for at least 14 days.
While Oregon workers’ comp does not allow covered employees to sue their employers for on-the-job injuries, there are situations where our attorneys can file a separate personal injury lawsuit for additional compensation.
Our work injury lawyers can file these lawsuits if your accident was due to negligence or recklessness on the part of a third party. A third party is someone besides the employer who caused the accident. Examples include:
You may also file for personal injury if your employer does not subscribe to workers’ compensation, or if you are considered an independent contractor.
In a successful lawsuit, you may win compensation that covers your economic or monetary costs, such as medical expenses and all your lost wages. In addition, a settlement may cover your non-economic damages that do not have a specific dollar value but negatively impact your life, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, companionship, and consortium. In some rare cases, if a defendant acts in a particularly reckless or deliberate manner, you may be entitled to punitive damages as well.
Damage award amounts can be negotiated with insurance companies, or go to trial and be determined by a jury based on factors such as the severity and permanence of the injuries and the effects on your life. The awards in personal injury cases are generally more than you may receive from workers’ compensation alone.
Our work injury lawyers will evaluate your case carefully to see if you can file a lawsuit.
No matter what the cause of your work-related injury or illness, the compassionate lawyers at Strong Law are fully committed to helping you get the benefits you deserve. Our proven experience allows us to put at your disposal a talented team ready to fight for your rights.
Let us take care of all the paperwork, deadlines, documentation, legal requirements, negotiations, and appeals, so you can focus on your recovery.
Contact us or call us at 206-737-3496 today for a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your workers’ compensation case and determine the best way to move forward.
Gather evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the circumstances surrounding the accident to establish facts and liability.
Determine the extent of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Engage in discussions with the opposing party or insurance companies to reach a fair settlement outside of court.
If negotiations fail, proceed to court where legal arguments and evidence are presented before a judge or jury for a final decision.
Prior to representing accident victims, Jed worked for GEICO insurance company as one of its in-house attorneys – representing the insurance companies. After learning the inner workings of insurance companies, he quit and began representing accident victims.
We want to help you get the legal advice you need with no upfront fees. There is no obligation to use our law firm and we only get paid if you win your case.
Our team of legal experts pride themselves on going above and beyond for our clients. We provide you answers and solutions to the legal issues you may experience from your accident.
We are here to help you recover from your accident physically and fiscally. Let us help you maximize the compensation you deserve.
Have other questions? Get in touch with our team at info@stronglawattorneys.com
Our team is standing by to help you.