Klamath Falls Workers Compensation Attorneys

You can expect to receive confident and dedicated representation from Shlesinger & deVilleneuve attorneys for all of your Worker’s Compensation needs. This includes; denied and accepted claims, indefinite disability determinations, medical care disputes, vocational assistance benefits, and negotiating settlements for claims and third-party claims.

In just about every state, Worker’s Compensation Insurance is supposed to safeguard an employee if they are hurt on the job; the law can cover the health care expenses and provide partial wages through the time the employee has the ability to return to work. Realistically, the worker’s compensation laws in Oregon have now become so intricate and complicated that many employees find they would be better off having a legal professional assisting them in tackling their worker’s compensation insurance claims. Having legal representation also provides a better chance of benefits actually be received by the injured employee.

Applicable Worker’s Compensation Benefits include:

• Medical help to address injury or falling ill
• Re-training expenses

• Reimbursement for indefinite injuries
• Benefits due to survivors of employees who have been killed while working

From the moment you file a worker’s compensation claim, your dealings are no longer with your employer but rather with the insurance company your employer has enlisted to manage their worker’s compensation insurance coverage. While you may have a terrific relationship with your employer, the insurance company sees you simply as a liability and they are going to do whatever it takes to pay you as little as possible. They do not have your very best interest at heart – we do. In fact, the very reason Shlesinger & deVilleneuve are specialists in worker’s compensation law is because of our commitment for fighting and advocating for those clients who are most vulnerable to be at the mercy of large insurance firms otherwise! The chances of a single injured individual being treated fairly and securing the settlement recoveries they deserve are very slim without an experienced worker’s compensation attorney by their side. You will have the benefit of Shlesinger & deVilleneuve’s four decades of experience and understanding of the intricacies of Oregon’s worker’s compensation laws working for you. We will help you obtain the benefits that you are entitled to receive!

It is absolutely essential for you to understand that Oregon worker’s compensation laws come with non-negotiable time restrictions that must be followed. It is vital that you obtain medical care and tell your employer about your injury right away! The next step is to contact our office and utilize our years of experience to help you collect the data and documentation that you will need. One of our friendly receptionists is ready to receive your call and ensure that a member of our dedicated legal team will connect with you that same day for scheduling an initial appointment, free of charge. The fees for our worker’s compensation cases are exclusively contingent; we will not accept a fee for helping you unless your case is won. At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, we are focused on you first!

Filing a Claim

This process includes fixed deadlines. A claim needs to be filed with your employer directly following the injury. Unfortunately, in Oregon, injured workers encounter a few of the toughest challenges. As soon as you are certain you have been injured while at work, inform your employer quickly. Seek medical help without delay. It is also critical that you provide the medical specialist complete and accurate information regarding the circumstances of your injury. It is equally important to review the provider’s chart notes memorializing the visit prior to leaving their office. A case can be won or lost solely based on the information and timeline given to the treating health care provider. Don’t let anyone talk you into not filing a claim – or, to report any false information. Call us now if you need help filing a claim.

Denied Claims

Rigid timelines control this procedure. In the event of your claim being denied, the notice that you receive should give you a 60-day timeframe for filing an appeal; this timeline is very stringent. If you’ve received a letter of denial or notice of closure of your case, you must file an appeal within the 60-day time frame. If you do not meet this deadline, you most likely are going to be time barred from filing an appeal. Call us now before it is too late to prevent this from happening to your case. If you have received notification of your case being denied, call us today!

Notice of Closure

If your claim is closed for any reason you will probably receive notification of permanent partial benefits award. As in the case of denied claims, you only have 60-days to appeal this decision. Don’t let the insurance company dictate that your claim is only worth partial benefits. It requires an experienced professional to navigate this complex process. If you’ve received a notice of closure, call us today so that we can file an appeal and get you the full benefits you deserve!

Medical Service and Vocational Retraining Disputes

With the current climate of Oregon worker’s compensation, it is really not unusual for a hurt worker to be denied the needed medical interventions or vocational retraining. The insurance firms are often unwilling to approve needed surgeries or treatments. As with the notice of closures, there is a strict timeframe within which appeals must be filed. If you have received a notice stating that your chosen medical treatment options have been refused or maybe you are not being approved for vocational retraining benefits, don’t hesitate to contact us! We will advocate for your rights!

Third-Party Claims

Sometimes a worker’s injury occurs on a job site that is managed by a person other than their employer or as a result of someone not associated with the employer. Think of pizza delivery driver who gets struck by a careless driver while on a pizza delivery call. If this happens, the injured party might have what is known as a 3rd party claim which is quite similar to a personal injury claim. A 3rd party claim is an additional avenue for financial recovery for the injured party. These types of claims are also controlled by specific timelines that the injured party often is not made aware of. Call us now if you’ve been involved in a work injury that may involve a third party to find out what you are entitled to.

Settlements

Settling a worker’s compensation claim is frequently a good option. If you’re considering looking into settling your Oregon worker’s compensation claim, you will need a knowledgeable attorney with experience in these matters. The company that manages your employer’s insurance coverage will not be thinking about you as a person when negotiating a possible settlement amount. If you are contacted by the insurance company and they are offering any type of settlement, call our firm immediately to get advice on whether or not the settlement is sufficient.

Attorney Fees

The Oregon legislature has established specific rules governing the amount an attorney can charge for worker’s compensation cases. The way in which the fee is paid is dependent upon the way the claim is resolved. First, it’s important to know that these fees are contingent fees only. In other words, you will not be responsible for paying your attorney unless you receive benefits.

Costs

Occasionally, your attorney will need to pay out-of-pocket expenses on behalf of building your case. This is certainly true if your case is in the appeal process and may be elevated to a hearing. These are not attorney fees but rather expenditures for things such as; expert testimony charges, court filing fees, medical chart copying fees, etc.