Slip and Fall Injury at Work in Portland

Slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common ways people in Portland get injured in the workplace. Whether you slipped on a rainy dock in the Pearl District, tripped on a cluttered warehouse floor in Southeast Portland, took a painful fall in a Northwest restaurant, or sustained another type of slip-and-fall accident in a Portland workplace, you have legal rights. It is crucial to protect them for your future health and financial well-being.

The legal team at Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., proudly represents injured Portland workers as they seek workers’ compensation benefits after a slip-and-fall accident on the job. We are here to provide legal guidance, compassionate support, and tenacious advocacy.

Why You Need Our Portland Workers’ Comp Lawyer for a Slip and Fall

Seeking workers’ comp benefits can be overwhelming, particularly when recovering from a significant injury. Our experienced workplace injury attorneys can lead you through the workers’ compensation application process and fight for your rights if your claim is denied or undervalued.

When you choose us to represent you, you get an attorney who provides:

Decades of experience – Attorney Jodie Anne Phillips Polich has been protecting the rights of injured workers in Portland for over 30 years. She not only has the knowledge and experience to build your case, but she also has a proven track record to back up her ability to assertively pursue the benefits you need.
Unique insight – Jodie’s time as a member of the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board provides a unique perspective on how these cases operate and what it takes to recover the benefits you deserve.
Compassionate representation – Navigating the fallout of a slip-and-fall injury at work is not just about filing claims and seeking benefits. We understand how challenging these experiences can be, both physically and emotionally, and we will offer compassion and understanding as we pursue your claim.
Dedication to tough cases – Some workers’ compensation cases are significantly more complex than others. Jodie is committed to tackling these cases and fighting for her clients to pursue a favorable outcome.

What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall at Work

The steps you take following a workplace slip-and-fall accident could make a significant difference in your health and the outcome of your workers’ compensation case.

Here are some key steps to take after a fall at work:

Seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine immediately after the fall, it is still essential to seek a thorough medical examination as soon as possible. Some potentially severe injuries may not present symptoms immediately, but a prompt exam can provide the timely diagnosis and treatment you need.
Report the incident. Notify your supervisor or HR department promptly. Under Oregon law, you have 90 days to report the incident. If you fail to report before then, your claim will most likely be denied.
Document the scene. Take photos and videos of the accident scene, including the hazard that caused the fall, signs or lack thereof, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries.
Stick to your treatment plan. Following your doctor’s orders is crucial for both your health and your workers’ comp claim. If you fail to follow the treatment plan, your claim may be denied.
Contact our workplace injury attorney. Let us review your case, inform you of your legal options, and help you avoid critical errors as you seek your benefits.

How to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Oregon

Filing a workers’ comp claim in Oregon after a slip-and-fall injury at work involves a few essential steps:

First, let your doctor know that your injury is work-related. Your doctor can help you fill out Form 827, the official Worker’s and Health Care Provider’s Report for Workers’ Compensation Claims. They will then submit the form to your employer’s insurance company.
Then, your employer must complete a report and forward it to their insurer. The insurance company will have 60 days to accept or deny your claim. If your claim is denied, you then have 30 days to appeal the decision.

What Benefits Can You Receive After a Slip-and-Fall Injury?

Workers’ Compensation benefits available after a slip-and-fall accident at work can include:

Medical costs
Partial wage-replacement benefits
Permanent disability benefits for long-term impairment
Vocational rehabilitation

Every case is unique, and the value of your benefits depends on the specifics of your injury and work history. Our experienced workplace injury attorney can advocate for you to receive all the benefits to which you are entitled under Oregon law.

Common Challenges Injured Workers Face in Portland Slip-and-Fall Cases

While the law is designed to protect injured workers, many encounter significant challenges when attempting to access workers’ compensation benefits. Some examples include:

Navigating the claims process – Oregon has a specific procedure with hard deadlines for workers seeking benefits after a slip-and-fall accident. Following this procedure closely is crucial for avoiding a denied claim.
Claim denial – Insurers may attempt to downplay your injury or assert that it did not happen in the workplace. Victims who do not provide a substantial body of evidence showing the cause, extent, and impact of their injuries frequently have their claims denied.
Wage disputes – Calculating wage-replacement benefits can become a point of contention, particularly for tipped workers or those with fluctuating hours.
Surveillance and monitoring – Insurance companies sometimes hire private investigators to track a claimant’s activity for evidence that can be used to deny a claim.

How Our Portland Workplace Slip-and-Fall Attorney Can Help You

Working with our experienced attorney after a slip-and-fall injury at work can help you pursue the maximum benefits you deserve. Our workplace injury attorney can help by:

Reviewing your case for free – You should not have to suffer any further financial distress to seek the benefits you deserve. We will sit down with you, listen to your story, review your case, and suggest the best course of action free of charge.
Creating a personalized strategy – Every workplace slip-and-fall accident and every client is unique. We will tailor our approach to your specific needs, injury, job, and goals.
Representing you in hearings and appeals – The goal is always to get your claim accepted the first time around. However, if your claim is denied or undervalued, we can represent you through the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board appeals process.
Charging you nothing unless we win – We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay us anything in legal fees unless and until we obtain compensation for you.

Contact a Portland Workplace Injury Attorney

If you have suffered a workplace slip-and-fall accident in Portland, and you need to seek workers’ compensation benefits, the team at Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., wants to help you. Let us review your situation, explain your rights, guide you through the slip-and-fall claims process, and provide tenacious advocacy when it comes time to negotiate a settlement or go to a hearing.