Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Portland, Oregon

When Do You Need a Portland, Oregon Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

If everything were to go smoothly and according to plan after your workplace injury, you would receive workers’ compensation benefits within a few days of filing. However, things rarely go according to plan. Workers’ compensation is a complex system; your claim can be delayed and/or denied for various reasons.

You can be certain that your employer and their insurance carrier have a lawyer. That means that when your workers’ compensation claim is filed, it will be a corporation or business, a large insurance company with deep pockets, and an attorney against you. They may try to pressure you into accepting a settlement amount that is far below what your claim is worth.

Insurance brokers are trained on how to save their companies money, and they are skilled at what they do. Insurance companies know that if they deny a claim, most people won’t try to appeal the decision. You need a trusted Portland workers’ compensation lawyer on your side and who is looking out for your best interests. The insurance companies are trying to minimize your case, but our lawyers for workers’ comp claims can protect you.

When Should You Contact a Portland, Oregon Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

If you have a workers’ compensation claim or suspect that you do, it’s important that you contact a Portland, Oregon, workers’ comp lawyer as soon as possible. Since our personal injury law firm offers free consultations and doesn’t charge anything unless you win, you have nothing to lose by consulting us. We are happy to review your claim and offer you legal advice.

Many of our clients turn to us when they have been denied benefits or are unhappy with the medical care they receive by their employer’s designated doctor. A Portland workers’ compensation attorney from our law firm can help you throughout any stage of your workers’ comp claim process.

There are certain situations when it is especially helpful and important to contact a work comp lawyer, such as the following:

• Your employer doesn’t carry Oregon workers’ compensation insurance

• Your claim was denied by the insurance company

• You were denied medical treatment

• Your employer denied your claim

• You were promised compensation but never received it

• You’re unhappy with the medical care you’re receiving

• You have a pre-existing condition

• You are without income

• Your accident was caused by a third-party

Common Injuries

Workplace injuries in Portland come in many different forms, some occurring suddenly while others developing gradually over time. In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, you may have to prove that the injury occurred while on the job and that it is severe enough to inhibit you from working.

The lawyers at Bell Law Offices are skilled at handling different workers’ compensation claims, including the following:

Struck by equipment or another object which can cause major damage and even be fatal.

A person being struck by a falling object or hit by a piece of equipment is the leading cause of death on construction sites. Falling objects can cause serious head injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Those who work in Portland lumber mills and trimming trees are also at serious risk of this type of injury. If you or someone you love was injured or killed on the job site by a falling object, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer to learn more about what damages you may be entitled to.

Overexertion Injuries

Overexertion can occur when a person is lifting, carrying, throwing, pushing, or holding objects. This can result in injuries including:

• Sprains

• Muscular tears

• Herniated discs

• Neck injuries

• Broken bones

These may seem like small injuries, but can result in major issues over time. In order to prevent these injuries, employers in Portland should supply employees with ergonomic equipment and train them how to safely perform heavy lifting and other physically demanding tasks. If you have been injured by overexertion, contact a workers’ compensation lawyer to learn more about what benefits you may be eligible to receive. You’ll never know unless you ask.

Compression injuries

Compression Injuries

If you have compression injuries, which occur when a person’s body part is crushed or caught in a piece of machinery, equipment, or another object, contact a lawyer. Injuries of this sort are almost always severe, and often result in the victim requiring extensive surgeries perhaps even losing a limb. Victims of compression injuries may require a lifetime of care, and a Portland workers’ compensation lawyer can help ensure you get the medical care you need now and in the years to come.

Slips, trips, and falls

There are many different causes of slips, trips, and falls:

• Uneven surfaces

• Snow or ice

• Wet floors without a caution sign

• Spills that weren’t cleaned up

• Debris on the ground

• Poorly lit areas

You can often avoid injuries if employers keep workplaces clean and well maintained. If you are injured from a slip, trip, or fall at work contact a lawyer and learn of workers’ compensation benefits. You may not consider it a big deal, but once you speak to a lawyer, you can get an expert’s opinion on it.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

You can experience Carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and bursitis are common types of repetitive motion injuries and occur gradually over time, unlike most injuries which have a sudden and direct cause.

Your initial symptoms may include a tingling or numbness in your hands, and the inability to pick up and hold objects. If you are suffering from a repetitive motion injury caused by work-related tasks you are likely entitled to benefits.

Auto Accident Injuries

Many Portland workers drive as part of their job, and Workers’ compensation auto accident cases can be complicated. The employee will need to prove that the vehicle was being used in a work related-capacity in order to receive workers’ comp benefits. This is not always easy, but a Portland personal injury attorney can help you gather the evidence needed to file your workers’ compensation claim. These types of cases are often time sensitive, so reach out with questions as soon as possible.

You can get fast and powerful results when you work with our attorneys. We understand the physical pain, frustration, and anxiety that comes from sustaining a personal injury at work. You can accomplish much when you wok with our legal team.

Ways a lawyer for workers’ comp claims can help:

• Explain your legal rights.

  Workers’ compensation law can be complicated and difficult to understand. A workers’ comp lawyer, though, can help explain the law and your legal rights to you in a manner that’s easy to understand.

• File forms and documents.

  In order to receive workers’ compensation benefits, all necessary forms need to be filled out and filed properly within a specific amount of time. A workers’ compensation attorney can review these forms with you and help you file them within the time allotted. 

• Appeal a denied claim.

  If your workers’ comp claim was denied, you are likely feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do next. A workers’ compensation lawyer can review your claim, appeal the denial, and possibly have the decision reversed. 

• Prove the extent of your injuries.

  The greater your injuries are, the more damages you may be eligible to receive, and a workers’ compensation lawyer can review the facts of your case, review medical records, and help prove the extent of your injuries.