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What Benefits are Available Through Workers’ Compensation?

April 16, 2022
Work injury form

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.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Oregon

There are many benefits to making a claim with Oregon workers’ compensation insurance. If the claim is accepted, they pay for medical treatment, lost wages, and more. 

What Is Covered?

Not surprisingly, due to the range of injuries or accidents that can happen at work, workers’ compensation covers a wide variety of areas:


  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Ongoing care costs
  • Funeral expenses
  • Replacement income
  • Costs for retraining
  • Compensation for any permanent injuries
  • Benefits to families of workers who are killed on the job

Am I Eligible?

By law, Oregon employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance or be self-insured if they have one or more employees, either full-time or part-time. There are some exceptions, such as police, firefighters, casual & domestic workers, and others, but the main goal of workers’ compensation insurance is to protect any and all workers in Oregon. Reach out to an attorney to see if you qualify.

Applying for Benefits

If injured at work, there is a strict protocol for filing for workers’ compensation benefits. ​

Reporting to Your Employer

The first step is to tell your employer about your work-related injury or illness right away. After that, you will fill out a “Report of Job Injury or Illness'' form and turn it in to your employer. Once informed of the injury, your employer has five days to report the incident to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

Seeking Medical Care

Next, you will most likely go to the doctor after your injury. Let your doctor know it is a work-related injury. Your doctor should help you complete the “Workers and Health Care Provider’s Report for Workers’ Compensation Claims” form. Your doctor should send this to the insurer within 72 hours of your visit to help file your claim. Your employer can not pay for medical costs out-of-pocket, and your doctor should not bill you.

Filing a Claim with the Insurance Carrier

Once the insurer has received your claim, they have 60 days from your employer’s knowledge of the claim to timely accept or deny the claim. You will be notified of the decision in writing, whether you’re accepted or denied. A “Notice of Acceptance” or denial letter – with an explanation for why it was denied – will be sent. If denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. 

Appealing a Decision

If your workers’ compensation claim is denied by the carrier, you have the right to appeal the decision and have the State of Oregon review the decision.

Statutorily, to be granted an appeal hearing, you must file the request within 60 days of the written letter. The denial letter you received will include your rights for an appeal, and there will be an address provided – this is where you will send a letter requesting an appeal.

Claims are denied for a wide variety of reasons. These are some common reasons why your workers' compensation claim may have been denied:



  • Your injury did not occur while performing your job
  • Your injury was caused by a preexisting injury or condition
  • Dispute as to when or where the injury occurred
  • A health provider concluded you were not disabled as a result of your work injury
  • A dispute whether you sustained injuries at all

How Beaverton, Oregon Workers’ Compensation Legal Counsel Can Help

Workers’ compensation benefits are crucial to helping injured workers recover, both for their own sake and for their loved ones. When these benefits are denied, it can be discouraging. Our team at the Law Office of Michael J. Orlando has the experience and passion for representing the injured worker to seek the compensation that is deserved. Our Beaverton office proudly serves clients throughout Oregon. Contact our team today to set up your free consultation.

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.

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 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.

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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