Portland Work Injury Lawyer
A Work Injury Lawyer Can Help Win Compensation
Portland Work Injury Lawyer
Portland Work Injury LawyerWe Win 98 Percent of Our Cases
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 206-741-1053 to get started.
For a Free Consult, call now at 206-741-1053.How Our Work Injury Lawyers in Portland, OR, Can Help
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:
- We are experienced. Attorney Jed Strong, the founder of Strong Law, once worked for GEICO insurance company as one of its in-house attorneys, so has learned the inner workings of insurance companies and how to fight them. Attorney Peter Barnett has fought against the biggest financial institutions in the country. He channels his litigation experience by fighting for those who have been injured, has no voice, and have been treated unfairly by the insurance industry.
- We have a long record of success and get results. We have won 98% of our cases, including a $1.5 million premises liability case verdict.
- We work closely with and take a personal interest in our clients. You can read our client testimonials to prove it.
- We are licensed to practice in Washington, Oregon, and Utah to better serve all your case needs.
- We negotiate forcefully with insurance companies but are strong litigators and are willing to take your case to court if necessary
- We offer free consultations to discuss your issues and show you how we can help.
How Our Portland Work Accident Lawyer Handles Your Case
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:
- Meet with you to discuss your case and determine the best way to move forward
- Ensure you get proper medical care, and that all treatment is documented
- Make sure all forms are filled out correctly and on time with the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board
- Investigate your case to determine how you were injured and gather evidence to help prove your claims, such as photographs and videos from surveillance cameras and interviews with witnesses and first responders
- Obtain all relevant work and medical records, doctors and accident reports, and records of previous claims against your employer
- Represent you at any hearings with the Workers’ Compensation Board and appeal any denials
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Build your case and take it to court if necessary
- File a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in cases where it is warranted.
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.
Work Accident Lawyers in Portland, OR, Explain Laws Regarding Workers’ Compensation
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.
Benefits Your Portland, OR, Work Injury Attorney Can Help You Obtain
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:
- Medical bills and expenses for your work-related injury, including reimbursement for prescription medications, transportation, meals, lodging, and other related expenses up to a maximum established rate
- Temporary total or partial disability benefits
- Permanent total or partial disability benefits
- Vocational assistance retraining for situations where you cannot return to regular work at your job.
- Death benefits, if a work-related death occurs.
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.
Portland Workers’ Comp Lawyers Answer Questions
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What Types of Injuries Are Covered by Oregon Workers’ Comp?
The types of injuries typically covered by workers’ comp are:
- Injuries that are not the result of intentional self-harm or harm from drug use, alcohol use, or fighting
- Injuries that fall within the general “course and scope” of the worker’s employment, such as long-term occupational injuries, including back strain from repetitive motion.
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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.
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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.
Work Injury Lawyers May Go Beyond Workers’ Comp
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:
- A contractor or subcontractor
- The manufacturer of faulty equipment
- A materials supplier
- A negligent property owner
- A driver of a vehicle that crashed into you.
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.
Attorney Jed Strong
Jed Strong is the founder of Strong Law. He knows that accident injuries can be devastating to individuals and families, so he does everything in his power to ensure his clients recover every bit of compensation they deserve. 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. [ Attorney Bio ]
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Client Review
“Excellent attorneys and staff!! My attorney, Peter, and his paralegal, Katrina, went ABOVE & BEYOND to get me a settlement that was even higher than my own personal bottom line. I highly recommend Strong Law for all your personal injury claims. I would not have been able to navigate this 3-year long journey without them! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!”
Anita Washington
Get Help from a Workers' Compensation Attorney in Portland, OR
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 206-741-1053 today for a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of your workers’ compensation case and determine the best way to move forward.
