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Oregon is situated in the Pacific Northwest and embraces a unique heritage and allure. With a rich agricultural history and breathtaking landscapes, the Beaver State offers an enchanting blend of tradition and natural beauty.
The state’s vibrant economy provides many opportunities for businesses across various sectors to prosper. Securing dependable workers' compensation insurance is paramount for safeguarding your business and its valuable employees.
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program for almost all employers in Oregon. Employers are required to have an active policy before hiring their first employee. Coverage provides medical and financial protection for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of an injured employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
The Oregon Workers' Compensation Division administers the workers’ comp law in the state. The law requires employers with one or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Businesses can obtain workers’ comp coverage through a partner like EverPeak Insurance. Alternatively, companies that meet the state’s requirements may also apply to be self-insured.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.
Policies include protection for full and part-time workers — as well as your business’s financials.
Oregon’s workers' compensation law includes nearly 30 exemptions. Some include:
Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases developed over time due to job conditions.
Oregon workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:
As of 2023, Oregon’s workers’ comp weekly benefit amount maximum is $1,331.48 for:
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
Employees in Oregon should report their injury to their employer using Form 801 as soon as possible. Employers should send it to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier within five days of receiving the notice. Additionally, employers should provide their injured worker with this form.
The employee should immediately seek medical attention and complete Form 827 with the help of your doctor.
If an employer’s insurance provider accepts the claim, the worker should begin receiving benefits to cover medical expenses and may receive lost wages.
Following their recovery, a worker is expected to resume work safely. In cases where the worker cannot fully recover, they may be eligible to receive permanent disability payments.
Unless the employer has enrolled the company in a managed care organization, employees can be treated by any health care provider who qualifies as an attending physician under Oregon state law. Employers cannot choose health care providers for their injured workers.
If an employee is out of work:
If an employee disagrees with their claim closure, they have the right to appeal by asking the Workers’ Compensation Division for a reconsideration. An injured worker must file for reconsideration within 60 days of the mailing date of the Notice of Closure.
Unless exempt, employers in Oregon must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance. Compliance with this requirement is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
We recommend requesting multiple quotes and comparing the offerings before making a decision.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted insurance partner — like EverPeak — brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
In Oregon, the penalty for a first offense if a business is without workers’ compensation coverage is twice the premium employers would have paid for insurance, with a minimum of $1,000.
If there is a second offense, the penalty will be up to $250 per day for each additional day of noncompliance after the first order. There is no limit on the total penalty assessed.
Should a third order or more be issued, the Workers’ Compensation Division will request a permanent court injunction to force the employer to stay compliant. If they disobey the injunction, they will be in contempt of court and subject to other sanctions, including jail time.
In most cases, policies bar employees in Oregon from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
Generally, a business’s workers’ compensation policy does not cover independent contractors in Oregon. Workers' compensation laws typically apply to employees rather than independent contractors.
However, it's important to note that the classification of a worker as an independent contractor or an employee can be complex, and misclassification can lead to legal disputes. If unsure whether an independent contractor should be treated as an employee, seek legal guidance.
The incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensure the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.