What types of injuries are covered in Oregon?

What It Can Help Cover:

• Physical Injuries: Injuries caused by a specific workplace accident (e.g., broken bones, burns, sprains, or cuts).
• Repetitive Stress Injuries: Injuries caused by repeated movements (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome or back problems).
• Occupational Illnesses: Illnesses caused by exposure to harmful substances or environments at work (e.g., asbestos exposure, chemical burns, respiratory diseases).
• Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: If a work-related injury worsens a prior condition.
• Mental Health Injuries: In some cases, mental health conditions caused by extreme work-related stress or trauma are covered.

Accidental Physical Injuries

These are injuries resulting from sudden and unexpected accidents in the workplace, such as:

• Slip-and-fall accidents: Broken bones, sprains, or concussions.
• Machinery-related accidents: Cuts, amputations, or crush injuries.
• Falling objects: Head injuries or spinal injuries.
• Lifting injuries: Strains or herniated discs from lifting heavy objects.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

These develop over time due to repetitive movements or exertion. Examples include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: From repetitive hand and wrist movements, common in office or factory work.
• Tendinitis: Repeated strain on tendons in areas like the shoulders or elbows.
• Back Injuries: Due to repeated lifting or poor ergonomics.

These are covered if you can show that the repetitive nature of the work caused the injury.

Occupational Illnesses

Occupational diseases or illnesses that develop due to the working environment are covered. These could include:

• Asbestos exposure: Leading to mesothelioma or lung cancer.
• Chemical exposure: Causing burns, respiratory conditions, or other health complications.
• Hearing loss: Due to prolonged exposure to loud noise in the workplace.
• Skin conditions: Contact dermatitis or other issues caused by chemicals or substances handled at work.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions

If a pre-existing condition (e.g., an old back injury) is worsened or aggravated by job duties, the aggravation is generally covered under workers’ compensation.

Mental Health Injuries

In Oregon, mental health injuries can be covered, but they are subject to stricter standards than physical injuries. To be compensable:

• The mental condition must be diagnosed in accordance with accepted medical standards.
• The condition must arise from actual work conditions (e.g., witnessing a traumatic event, or workplace violence).

One thing to keep in mind is that ordinary workplace stress like meeting deadlines or job pressure typically isn’t covered unless extreme.

Other Less Common Injuries

Cumulative trauma refers to injuries that develop over time due to ongoing workplace conditions. For example:

• Vibration exposure leading to hand-arm vibration syndrome.
• Chronic overexertion causing long-term muscle and joint damage.

The lists show just how different each injury could be. Choosing a lawyer to help you along the way will ease the unknown you are facing. They are practiced in what types of injuries would apply and what would and wouldn’t be accepted during the claim process.
Having gone over the types of injuries this is just the first step in the workers Compensation process. But there are many steps to go if you are to get the compensation you deserve. Such a step would be filing the claim you need to know what type of claim to file (medical-only claim, lost-time claim, etc.)
Contact us to help you through this complicated process of Workers Compensation. For a free case consultation call us at 888-813-3188

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