WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
Oregon workers’ compensation lawyers
A workplace injury can interrupt your income, your treatment and your plans. EWC Law helps workers throughout Oregon understand their claims and take the next step.
Help at the difficult points in a claim.
You may be filing your first claim, responding to a denial, or trying to understand an insurer’s decision about benefits. Start by identifying the notice you received and the question it raises. A claim number and the actual letter are often more useful than a description of what someone said over the phone.
- Workplace accidents and work-related illnesses.
- Denied claims and disputes about accepted conditions.
- Questions about wage-loss benefits, treatment and claim closure.
- Injuries involving both a workplace claim and a potentially responsible third party.
What to bring to a conversation.
Gather the insurer’s letters, your claim number, the injury date, your employer’s name and any work restrictions. Write down the date each notice was mailed. If you have an upcoming deadline, put that first when you contact us. You do not need a perfectly organized file to start.
Different decisions have different review procedures. Speaking with a lawyer about a notice is not itself an appeal, so do not assume a deadline has been extended while you seek help.
Start with these resources.
Medical care, work restrictions and wage loss.
A claim can involve several decisions at different times. Keep the acceptance or denial letter separate from medical authorizations, work releases and notices about payment. That makes it easier to identify what changed and what needs to be challenged.
Oregon’s Workers’ Compensation Division explains that time-loss benefits depend in part on medical authorization for time off or modified work and the resulting wage loss. Keep your insurer informed and retain the written restrictions. Read the state’s explanation of time-loss benefits.
Common starting questions.
Can I ask for help after a claim has been denied?
Yes. Bring the denial and envelope so the reason, mailing date and appeal instructions can be examined. Contacting a lawyer does not itself request a hearing. Our denial guide explains the first records to gather.
What if someone outside my employer caused the injury?
Explain that person's or company's role. A work injury and a possible third-party claim can involve different rights and procedures. They should be evaluated together rather than assuming one claim answers every question.