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Can You Reopen Closed Workers’ Compensation Cases in Oregon?

February 17, 2022

If you’ve ever been injured in a work-related accident, you know that workers’ compensation will cover your medical expenses and any lost wages that are related to the injury. Most employers in Oregon are mandated by the state to carry this insurance for their employees, and by doing so, they ensure the safety and security of the workers as well as themselves since receiving these benefits means employees cannot pursue litigation. But what happens if your case has already been closed yet you still need treatment for your workplace injury?


If you’d like to know more about reopening your workers’ compensation case, call the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando to speak with an experienced attorney. We’re proud to represent and support workers in and around Beaverton, Oregon, and throughout the state, including the Portland metro area, Salem, and Eugene.

Reopening a Closed Case in Oregon

In most cases, your employer will still be responsible for covering the expenses related to a workplace accident even after your case has officially been closed. Usually, cases are closed once an individual is considered “medically stationary,” meaning a physician has determined their condition is unlikely to improve with any more treatment.


Reopening a closed case in Oregon is possible, but to do so, you must file a “claim for aggravation.” This is a state form that you can fill out at your doctor’s office that claims that your on-the-job injury has become worse or has been aggravated in some way and that further treatment is needed. However, there is a statute of limitations that applies.


In Oregon, if you want to reopen a closed case, you must do so within five years after your claim was first closed. If your injury becomes aggravated and needs attention after this time period, you may still be able to contact the insurer and see if you’re able to receive temporary disability compensation.


In some cases, however, reopening a closed case may be more difficult and you’ll need to enlist the help of an attorney. When an injury first occurs, some people may choose to reach a settlement agreement instead of receiving compensation for medical care, and if this is the case, it may mean that you’re ineligible for reopening your case. Typically with these situations, you’ll have to bring forward compelling evidence that you didn’t have knowledge of or access to before to warrant the reopening of your case.

Qualifying Reasons to Reopen a Case

There are a few reasons to reopen a closed case, but in all, you’ll have to provide medical documentation to support your case. If you can show that the injury you sustained while working has changed significantly since your original case was closed, you’ll likely be eligible to have it reopened.


Also, you may need to reopen your case if you found an error that needs to be corrected or if you have new evidence that you weren’t able to bring forward originally (or didn’t have access to). Lastly, you may need to reopen your case if you discover that your future ability to work has been severely diminished due to getting hurt at work.

How Legal Counsel Can Help

A skilled workers’ compensation attorney can help you with every step of a workers’ compensation case, whether you’ve just recently been injured or you were hurt in the past and are only now realizing that your injury was not completely treated. No one who was injured while performing their job duties should have to suffer needlessly just because their workers’ compensation case was closed too soon. More often than not, there are steps you can take to get the help you need.



Call the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando for help with all of your workers’ compensation issues. We proudly serve clients in and around Beaverton, Oregon, and throughout the state, including the Portland metro area, Salem, and Eugene.

I Don’t Like the Doctor They Sent Me To. What Can I Do?

June 17, 2022
An injury at work can have a serious impact on your health. To recover fully from your injury, you’ll need excellent medical care from a doctor that you trust. But, what if you don’t like the doctor that the hospital or your employer sent you to?  In Oregon, you have options when it comes to your treatment after a work injury. However, the process of changing your workers’ compensation doctor can be complicated and confusing. With the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney , you can navigate the process and be confident that your best interests are represented. Whether you need help filing a claim for a work injury or you’re ready to switch doctors, the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando is ready to assist you. Our attorney has years of experience in the insurance industry, having worked as an adjuster, auditor, and insurance company supervisor. Now, he works to help injured workers receive the compensation they deserve. The Law Office of Michael J. Orlando is proud to serve clients in Beaverton, Oregon, as well as Eugene, Salem, and Portland.

What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim is Denied?

April 26, 2022
Workplace accidents can happen for any number of reasons, and when they do, it’s reassuring to know your expenses will be covered by worker’s compensation benefits. Workers’ comp insurance is required for the vast majority of Oregon employers and ensures that costs like medical bills and lost wages are covered by their plan. While many of these claims are straightforward, others can be more complicated, and you may be denied coverage. When this happens, you have every right to appeal this decision. If you’d like help with filing or appealing a recent workers’ comp claim denial, give us a call at the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando to discuss your options. From our offices in Beaverton, Oregon, we’re able to serve any injured worker throughout the State of Oregon.

What Benefits are Available Through Workers’ Compensation?

April 16, 2022
Workplace accidents happen every day. Suffering an injury in the workplace can affect your future negatively. Worse yet, an injury could mean you can no longer work in the job you have experience in, all the while being riddled with medical bills.  At the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando, we diligently strive that you can get the best outcome for your future. Making a workers’ compensation claim is not easy to do, and having an experienced attorney by your side allows you the knowledge and support you need, with the same goals you have. We strive to get you the full benefits you deserve. Our comprehensive knowledge of workers’ compensation benefits has helped clients in Beaverton, Portland, Salem, Eugene, and throughout Oregon.

Dispelling Workers' Compensation Myths

March 4, 2022
Employees who are injured in a work-related accident are entitled to receive workers' compensation benefits, including medical bills, lost wages, and permanent disability due to their injuries. However, there are lots of collective popular opinions and false assumptions out there surrounding workers' compensation insurance claims in Oregon. Without experienced guidance, an employee could easily make irreversible mistakes or hurt their case inadvertently when pursuing their workers' compensation benefits.  At the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando, we have the diligence, skills, and resources to assist, guide, and represent clients in their workers' compensation claims. Our knowledgeable Oregon workers’ compensation attorney can enlighten you about the common misconceptions surrounding the state's workers' compensation system, explore your options to seek workers' compensation benefits, and explain how to maximize these benefits. Also, we will fight vigorously to protect your best interests and help you pursue your deserved compensation for your workplace injuries or diseases. The Law Office of Michael J. Orlando is proud to serve clients across Beaverton, Oregon, and the surrounding areas of Portland, Salem, and Eugene.

Can I Apply for a New Job While on Workers' Comp?

January 28, 2022
If you have been hurt on the job, workers’ compensation may reimburse you for your medical bills and cover a portion of your lost wages. Many injured workers who receive workers’ compensation benefits are unable to return to their job until they recover from the injury. Some workers may want to apply for a new job while receiving workers’ compensation.  The problem, however, with seeking employment while on workers’ compensation is that it could potentially affect your benefits. That is why you need to consult with a workers’ compensation attorney in Beaverton, Oregon, to discuss how taking a new job might affect your benefits. At the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando, we help workers throughout Oregon—including Beaverton, Portland, Eugene, and Salem—navigate the workers’ compensation system.

Injuries That Qualify For Workers’ Compensation

December 9, 2021
You spend many hours of your life at work, making it very possible that one day you might suffer an injury while you are on the job. You may even develop an illness or disease because of your line of work. In any situation where an injury or illness happens due to your job, you can count on having medical bills because of it.  Paying for medical bills while taking time off work to recover from an injury is a stressful situation. Fortunately, Oregon law has established workers’ compensation benefits to protect employees in these circumstances. However, the process of filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits is challenging. The Law Office of Michael J. Orlando can help you navigate this difficult process. Attorney Michael J. Orlando spent more than a decade working as an insurance adjuster, auditor, and supervisor. Now, he has dedicated himself to putting that experience to work on the other side of the courtroom. The Law Office of Michael J. Orlando is proud to represent injured workers in Beaverton, Oregon, as well as Eugene, Salem, and Portland.

Workers’ Compensation & Third Party Claims

December 7, 2021
When a worker gets injured while performing their work duties, they may be able to obtain compensation for some of their expenses and losses by filing a workers’ compensation claim against the employer’s insurance. In some cases, however, a workers’ compensation claim may not be the only claim an injured worker can pursue to recover damages.  Depending on the circumstances of your work-related injury, you could be able to file a third-party personal injury claim. Each case is unique, which is why you should have a consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney here in the Beaverton, Oregon area. At the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando, we represent victims of workplace accidents and help them pursue benefits through workers’ comp and third-party liability claims.
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