MEDFORD WORKER COMPENSATION ATTORNEYS

At Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, we have more than four decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured Oregonians! We understand the complexity of Oregon’s Worker’s Compensation laws, and we know how to help you get the benefits you are entitled to receive. Your Worker’s Compensation benefits are meant to help you if you are injured on the job, it is supposed to cover your partial wages until you are capable of returning to work as well as cover your partial medical bills. Now, however, Oregon’s worker’s compensation laws have become so complex that most people need help from a qualified and experienced attorney just to guide them in filing their claims, and improve the chances of receiving their benefits! Workers’ Compensation Benefits fall into five main categories:

There are five basic kinds of Workers’ Compensation Benefits:

• Medical care for the injury or illness
• Replacement income
• Vocational or retraining costs
• Compensation for permanent injuries
• Benefits to survivors of workers who are killed on the job

There are regulations specific to workers’ compensation claims that can cause barriers; for instance, Oregon provides extremely rigid time limits for filing benefits. It is imperative that you seek medical care and report your injury to your employer immediately. The next step is to call our office within one week of your injury so we can begin to gather the information needed. Additionally, we will provide you with advice and guidance on moving forward. It is very important to take the necessary steps to file your claim correctly because the insurance company managing your employer’s Workers’ Compensation plan will do all they can to make sure you are offered the least amount of money possible. For this reason, we at Shlesinger & deVilleneuve specialize in these types of cases; our firm was built on our dedication to fighting for clients who can’t fight for themselves and are instead left to be railroaded by the big insurance firms. One injured person does stand much of a chance against an insurance company with unlimited resources.

What is the process of a Workers Compensation Claim in Medford?

• Filing a Claim
  Strict time limits control this process. A claim should be filed immediately with your employer for whom you were injured. Injured workers in Oregon experience some of the toughest hurdles. When you know you have been hurt on the job, tell your employer promptly. Get medical attention promptly. It is also critical that you give the medical provider accurate and complete information as to the where, time and how the incident occurred. Make sure you review this information with the provider before leaving his/her office. Many cases are won or lost depending on the contemporaneous history given to the medical provider who treats you for your injuries. Do not allow anyone to pressure you into failing to promptly report your injury EXACTLY as it happened! -immediately. Contact us promptly if you need assistance with filing your claim.
• Denied Claims
  Strict time limits control this process. If your claim is denied, the notice should contain a strict time limit to appeal. If you receive a denial letter or notice of closure, you only have 60 days to reply. If you miss this deadline, you probably will be barred from appealing. Contact us promptly to avoid being stopped from appealing a good case. Contact us promptly if you have received a denial on your claim.
• Notice of Closure
  When your claim is closed, you may receive a notice awarding permanent partial disability benefits. This notice should also contain a strict time limit to appeal. If you receive a denial notice or notice of closure, you only have 60 days to reply. Again, you must act within this time limit to avoid losing the opportunity to increase an insufficient award. If you have received a Notice of Closure, do not trust the insurance company to award you the right amount of money. It takes an experienced attorney to navigate through this process and fight for everything you are entitled to. Contact us promptly if you have received a Notice of Closure.
• Settlements
  Settlement of your Workers’ Compensation claim is often a viable option. If you are interested in pursuing settlement of your Oregon Workers’ Compensation claim, this requires an experienced attorney. The insurance company will not be looking after your interest when it comes to potential settlement of your claim. If you receive any form of a settlement offer, call us right away, since you may be signing away valuable rights and agreeing to an amount far less than what you are entitled to.

• Medical Service and Vocational Retraining Disputes
  Under the current trends of Oregon Workers’ Compensation, it is not uncommon for an injured worker to be denied necessary medical services or vocational retraining. The Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay for necessary surgeries and treatment. Again, notices denying any of these types of benefits are accompanied by strict time frames. If you receive a notice that your medical treatment is being refused or you do not qualify for vocational retraining benefits, please contact us promptly so we can advocate for your rights.
• Third-Party claims
  Occasionally, an injured worker is hurt at a job site controlled by someone other than his/her employer or by an individual not associated with the worker’s employer. When this occurs, the worker may have what is called a third-party claim which is very similar to a personal injury claim. A third-party claim provides, potentially, an additional source of recovery to an injured worker. These claims also contain strict time limits that an injured worker is often completely unaware of. Contact us promptly if you have been involved in such a work injury.
• Attorney Fees
  Attorney fees in Oregon Workers’ Compensation cases are set by state statute. The manner of how a fee is paid depends on how your claim is resolved. Attorney fees are strictly contingent. This means if you do not receive a recovery or increase in benefits, you do not owe your attorney a fee.
• Costs
  Sometimes it is necessary for your attorney to incur out-of-pocket costs to develop your case. This is often true if there is a denial on your case and we are preparing your case for hearing and/or possible settlement. These are not attorney fees, but are fees for such things as medical record duplicating charges, attorney-doctor conferences, treating doctor medical reports, forensic investigation, expert witness fees, filing fees, court reporting fees, arbitration/trial court fees, and so on.

Shlesinger & deVilleneuve
Workers Compensation Attorneys

Call our office; we will get back to you the same day to schedule an appointment. Our attorney’s fees for worker’s compensation cases are strictly contingent; we accept no fee for helping you unless we win for you. Let Shlesinger & deVilleneuve fight for you; “they” may not have your best interests at heart – but we do!