Reimbursement for Lost Wages from Oregon Workers’ Compensation
Work-related injuries can leave you disabled and unable to work for an extended period. If your injuries are severe enough, you may not be able to return to work at all. If you’ve been hurt due to a workplace accident in Oregon, you may be wondering, “How much does workers’ comp pay for lost wages?”
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that protects workers if they suffer an injury on the job or develop an occupational illness. This insurance can help pay related expenses like medical bills and also reimburse you for lost wages.
Lost wage benefits provide relief when you’ve lost income while you’re unable to work. If you can return to work but not at your normal capacity, lost wage benefits can offset the reduced income from light-duty work. If you become permanently disabled and cannot work in any capacity, you may be eligible to receive additional compensation.
Workers’ compensation claims are tricky to handle on your own, especially while you’re in pain and undergoing medical treatment. They can be confusing and time-consuming. The system initially denies or undervalues many claims. A workers’ comp attorney in Oregon can help you navigate the claims process to pursue all the benefits you’re entitled to, leaving you the time you need to recover.
At the Law Offices of Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., we are committed to helping injured workers seek the benefits they deserve. We know this is a difficult time for you and your family, so we approach every case with patience and understanding. From filing the initial claim to appealing if your claim is denied or undervalued, we can help you through every step of this stressful process.
Contact us today to request a free consultation with our compassionate Oregon workers’ comp lawyer.
Does Workers’ Comp Cover Lost Wages in Oregon?
Yes, workers’ compensation covers lost wages for injured workers in Oregon. However, claimants should not expect to receive their usual wages in full, as workers’ comp pays for only a portion of lost income.
However, you will not receive these benefits automatically as soon as you’re injured but will need to file a claim. This process can be challenging, and you will benefit from the help of an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Oregon.
Types of Lost Wage Benefits
Oregon has four types of lost wage benefits, depending on the severity and duration of your
injuries:
- Temporary partial disability – A worker who cannot perform their regular job functions for a limited period but can still work in another capacity and is deemed to have a temporary partial disability and cannot perform their normal job functions.
- Temporary total disability – A temporary total disability occurs when a worker cannot perform any of their job functions temporarily. After time off to recover, the employee can typically return to work.
- Permanent partial disability – A permanent partial disability means a worker can eventually return to work but is permanently disabled due to their injuries. The employee cannot work in the capacity they did before the accident but will be capable of performing work in a different role.
- Permanent total disability – A worker whose injuries have left them permanently disabled and unable to return to work is classified as having a permanent total disability.
How Much Does Worker’s Compensation Pay for Lost Wages?
Generally, Oregon workers’ comp laws follow the two-thirds formula for lost wage benefits, meaning you can expect to receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a cap.
All injured workers must go through a three-day waiting period, beginning on the day they started to lose wages or didn’t complete the day’s work due to the accident. This waiting period is treated as a deductible, and it is subtracted from your first benefits check. You will not receive reimbursement for the three days if your doctor releases you to light-duty work within 14 days of your disability.
Should your doctor allow you to return to work, but you can only perform modified work, you can still receive lost wage benefits. The lost wage benefits are reduced based on the wage your employer pays you for the light-duty work.
If you return to work and must take time off to receive medical treatment, you will only receive lost wages benefits if you must be away from work for four hours or longer.
How Can I Receive My Workers’ Comp Payments?
If your employer’s insurer approves your lost wage benefits, you can select how you would like to receive your payments. Generally, you can expect to receive payments on a bi-weekly basis. You can choose between a paper check mailed to you, electronic funds transfer (EFT), or ReliaCard.
Note that EFT is not the same as direct deposit. It does not automatically appear in your account, and it can take up to 48 hours to receive your payment after it is disbursed.
ReliaCard is similar to a debit card. Payments are made and loaded directly onto the card. You can use your ReliaCard like you would use a debit card.
How Do I Prove My Lost Wages?
There are multiple ways to prove your lost wages. First, you will need to provide medical documentation of your injuries. When you seek medical care after your work-related accident, whether at an emergency room, a company-approved physician, or both, these medical records can prove the type and severity of your injuries. Your physician will give a diagnosis and treatment plan, indicating whether you can return to work, when, and at what capacity.
The workers’ comp insurance company will also ask for proof of wages, like pay stubs or payroll records from your employer. This helps establish how much you were earning at the time of your work injury.
Does Workers’ Comp Pay for Lost Wages When a Worker Dies?
In Oregon, if a person’s work-related injuries result in death, their spouse, children, or other beneficiaries can collect their workers’ comp benefits as monthly payments. Also, workers’ comp may pay for any related funeral or burial expenses.
If the employee dies while they are receiving permanent total disability benefits, the worker’s beneficiaries may still be able to continue receiving these benefits after their death.
Contact Our Experienced Oregon Workers’ Comp Lawyer Today for Help
If you’ve been injured while on the job, you may be entitled to lost wage benefits. Do not go through the workers’ comp process alone. Contact the Law Offices of Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., today for help from an experienced and compassionate Oregon workers’ compensation attorney.
Get Started with your CaseCall Us at 503-654-1388