Workers Compensation Attorney in Portland

If you’ve been hurt on the job or diagnosed with an illness that you believe is work-related, you need to learn about your right to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can cover your medical expenses and help compensate you for lost income if you have to take time off work or become permanently disabled.

Unfortunately, filing for workers’ compensation is not a simple process, and many valid claims are denied on technicalities. At Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., our knowledgeable Portland workers’ compensation attorney is committed to educating injured workers and fighting for their rights. Whether you are trying to navigate your way through a complex case or just want to talk about a simple claim, Jodie will take the time to explain your legal options.

Jodie has a unique perspective on how workers’ compensation claims are evaluated and decided because she is a former member of the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board. For years since leaving the state board, Jodie has been successfully representing injured workers and families. In fact, she has earned a reputation among her peers for taking on the toughest cases.

Schedule a free consultation with our compassionate Portland worker’s compensation attorney today, and let us answer the questions you have about your case. If we think you can handle it on your own, we’ll give you some information to get you going in the right direction. If we think we can make a difference in your case, we’ll explain how and talk through all your legal options.

How Our Portland Workers’ Comp Lawyer Helps Injured Workers

Our law firm is focused solely on successfully handling workers’ compensation cases for victims of all ages. We take the time to advise workers on how to handle a claim from the very beginning, and we step in to help workers who have been denied benefits or need help managing a complex claim. Some of the common ways our team helps injured and ill workers include:

• Filing an initial workers’ comp claim. Although this should be an easy process, it does not always turn out that way. Our Portland workers’ compensation lawyer will walk you through the process, thoroughly document your injury or illness, and manage all the paperwork related to your claim for benefits.
• Fighting a denied workers’ comp claim. It is not uncommon for valid claims to be denied on technicalities. Do not be discouraged. Our dedicated attorney can review your denial and work quickly to build a strong case on appeal.
• Reviewing benefits and advocating for adjustments if they are too low. If you are worried that the benefits you are receiving are not enough, talk to our knowledgeable team about your options.
• Negotiating lump-sum settlements. Our attorney will discuss your needs, review your options, and negotiate aggressively for a full and fair lump-sum settlement.

Don’t put off seeking valuable legal advice about your workers’ compensation claim. At Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., we are here to answer your questions and take the pressure off you. Contact us now to set up a free consultation.

What Can Workers’ Comp Benefits Help You With?

The Oregon workers’ compensation system provides a variety of benefits for workers who have been injured on the job or suffered an occupational illness. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to:

Medical Coverage: This can include coverage for both emergency medical care and ongoing treatment needs. In Oregon, the workers’ comp insurance company can require you to pick a doctor from the designated managed care organizations (MCO). However, you may also be able to go to your regular doctor if the provider can obtain a temporary credential from the MCO. Overall, workers’ compensation benefits should fully cover “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses resulting from an on-the-job injury or occupational illness.

Payment for Lost Wages: Your benefits may also include “time-loss” compensation, which is meant to pay for a portion of your lost wages if you cannot go back to work immediately or at all. These may be either Temporary Total Disability (TTD) or Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits, depending on whether you must stay out of work completely or can perform some light-duty work.

TTD or TPD benefits will only last until your doctor determines you have reached “maximum medical improvement,” indicating that your injury or condition will not improve any further. Once you have reached that point, you may be deemed eligible for permanent disability benefits.

Vocational Assistance: Workers’ compensation may include vocational assistance benefits to provide retraining if your injury will prevent you from going back to the same job you did before the accident. There are different types of vocational training available, and you must meet specific eligibility criteria.

Death Benefits: In the most tragic cases, in which an on-the-job injury or occupational illness leads to a person’s death, workers’ compensation can pay death benefits to survive family members. This would include a lump-sum payment to account for the victim’s final disposition and funeral expenses, in addition to monthly payments to the surviving spouse, children, and other dependents.

Protect Your Rights After a Work Accident

Seek immediate medical attention and follow all doctor’s orders. This means attending all follow-up appointments, obeying instructions for home care, and taking any medication prescribed. You must demonstrate that you are taking your injury and recovery seriously.

Tell a supervisor as soon as you are injured or diagnosed with an illness. Although you may tell your boss in person as soon as something happens, you should also follow up in writing and be sure to include a short description of what happened, the time and date of the accident, who was involved or witnessed it, etc.

Contact a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your next steps. Indeed, you do not always need an attorney to file a workers’ comp claim. However, you should not hesitate to seek legal advice to make sure you are on the right path. An attorney will also be able to advise you on whether you could benefit from having an experienced advocate on your side, particularly if you have been seriously injured or if your claim has already been denied.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Portland?

In Oregon, workers’ compensation attorney fees are governed by the Workers’ Compensation Board to ensure they are fair. Here’s what you need to know:

• In many cases, insurance companies are ordered to pay for the workers’ attorney fees.
• In other cases, the attorney may be paid as a percentage of the compensation recovered for the injured worker.
• Either way, the worker is never required to pay attorney fees upfront or out of pocket.
• An initial consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney is always free, and the worker is under no obligation to move forward.

Talk to Our Dedicated Portland Workers’ Comp Attorney Today

Jodie Anne Phillips Polich has spent her legal career fighting for the rights of injured workers and their families. She understands what a serious impact a workplace injury or occupational illness can have on a person and a family, so she takes the time to get to know her clients and truly understand their needs.

Jodie believes in empowering injured workers by educating them about how the workers’ compensation system operates. She has earned a reputation for devoting herself to complex cases that require a dedicated advocate, and she is honored to receive referrals from fellow attorneys who respect her commitment.

Schedule a free consultation with an experienced Portland workers’ compensation lawyer today to talk about your next steps. We are here to answer your questions and help you move forward with your life.