Workers' Compensation and Medical Benefits
Oregon law requires employers to maintain workers' compensation insurance to provide medical benefits and disability wage benefits to their employees in the event of a work related injury or illness. If you have been injured in a work related accident, it is important that you understand your rights, including:
- As a general rule, your employer must cover your medical expenses if your injury or illness is work related. If you did not timely notify your employer of your injury or your injury is not sufficiently work related your employer may have a right to deny your claim.
- Medical benefits cover necessary medical care, including doctor's visits, emergency room care, surgery and other necessary care.
- You have a right to ongoing care for your work related injury.
- Your employer may be required to pay for your job retraining costs for a limited period of time if you are unable to return to your job or another job that pays a wage that is substantially similar to your current wage.
- You are entitled to receive medical treatment for the aggravation of a pre-existing injury.
- Workers' compensation is different from a personal injury lawsuit, meaning you do not have to prove your employer was negligent.
Knowing your rights is just the first step. To improve your chance of obtaining maximum recovery, contact an experienced workers' compensation lawyer.
Contact Attorney Brian R. Whitehead
If you have been injured in a work related accident, contact The Law Offices of Brian R. Whitehead. Our firm provides experienced and aggressive representation on behalf of injured workers, helping them seek the medical benefits they deserve.
Attorney Brian R. Whitehead has been handling workers' compensation cases for more than 25 years. To put his experience to work for you, contact our Salem law office today at 503-798-9812 (locally), 888-351-9382 (toll free) or contact us by e-mail.
