No matter how careful you are at work or the safety precautions your employer enforces, work-related injuries and illnesses happen. When they do, you can turn to workers’ compensation.
Every employer in Oregon with at least one employee must carry workers’ compensation or other insurance to cover their employees. Workers’ compensation pays for medical treatment if your health relates to job-related activities.
At Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C., we offer same-day appointments and have extensive experience treating the full range of work-related injuries. We also participate in workers’ compensation.
These are six steps to follow if you get hurt on the job:
The most crucial step is taking care of your health. How quickly you see a healthcare provider depends on the severity of your injury.
Some injuries require immediate emergency care. Others may need a same-day appointment. Even if your work-related injury seems minor, you should schedule an exam immediately.
Prompt care prevents the problem from worsening. Staying active (because your symptoms are mild) adds stress to the injury, potentially leading to avoidable complications.
Another reason to see a healthcare provider is to support your workers’ compensation claim. A timely medical exam can overcome any doubts the insurance company may have about whether you sustained a job-related injury.
Oregon’s workers’ compensation laws allow you to choose your healthcare provider. However, it’s crucial to be sure they accept workers’ compensation. They should also be familiar with workers’ compensation forms and reporting requirements.
We have years of experience treating people with work-related injuries and understand the importance of completing all the required paperwork. We participate in Oregon Workers’ Compensation, Washington Workers’ Compensation, and many private programs.
While getting medical attention for severe and life-threatening injuries takes priority over every other step, Oregon law requires you to tell your employer you were injured as soon as possible.
Whenever possible, tell your employer immediately. Or, talk with them as soon as you get diagnosed with a condition caused by your job or work environment.
Some job-related injuries are sudden accidents. Others occur gradually because of long-term stress and repetitive movement.
A few examples of repetitive use injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, back strain, tennis elbow, tendonitis, rotator cuff injuries, and carpenter’s knee (prepatellar bursitis). These injuries get diagnosed after months of cumulative damage.
Your employer gives you a worker’s compensation form. You fill out your part, then give it back to your employer.
Your employer completes their section of the form then gives you a copy and sends it to the workers’ compensation insurance company. The claim must be sent within five days after learning about your injury.
At your first medical appointment, we ask you to complete your part of a required medical report. After your exam, we complete our section of the form.
We provide information about your diagnosis, estimated treatment length, and work status (whether you need time off, can work part-time, or are ready to return). Then send a copy to you and the insurance company (not your employer).
After the insurance company receives the paperwork, they accept or reject your workers’ compensation claim. They make a decision within 60 days after your employer learns about your injury.
Keeping every appointment puts you on the path to healing and returning to work. We monitor your progress at each appointment to ensure you get the best treatment and provide rehabilitation guidance.
There’s another reason to keep your appointments: The insurance company can close your claim and stop sending workers’ compensation benefits if you fail to keep a medical appointment.
The workers’ compensation insurance company also expects progress reports to stay current with your recovery and anticipated return to work.
We complete and submit the required medical reports, including the form releasing you to return to work.
However, you may get correspondence from the insurance company asking you to do something or provide information. These requests usually have a deadline. If you miss the deadline, your claim may get denied or your case closed.
You may not go back to work until you fully heal. But many people can return to modified duty. Modified duty allows you to work while you're still recovering. For example, you may need less physically demanding work or modifications to accommodate your injury.
Call Cascade Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center, P.C,, to schedule a same-day appointment or complete the online booking form to get expert care for a work-related injury.
