Few people ever contemplate being involved in an accident while at work unless they are in a high risk occupation like mining or fire-fighting. Injuries and illnesses that are work related can be expensive to deal with and it’s only fair that employers are responsible for providing compensation through state mandated workers’ compensation insurance. Oregon, like every other state in the country, has laws that determine what the requirements are for employers and employees with regard to workers’ compensation. Employment in Oregon While many people think of Oregon as a relatively rural state with the dairy, commercial fishing, and forestry industries as the mainstays, people live in the larger towns and cities. Nearly 1.8 million people in Oregon have some kind of job. Half of these employees work in five major occupational categories which are similar to most other states in the country. Figures provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a federal body that collects and analyzes occupation and employment data show that more people work in some kind of office or similar type of work environment than anything else. Other major occupations in Oregon are: sales and related jobs e.g. in shopping malls and supermarkets; food preparation and serving employment e.g. in cafes and fast food restaurants; transportation related jobs such as trucking; production, such as light industry and food processing. Oregon Workers’ Comp Insurance Requirements One good thing about Oregon’s state workers’ compensation laws if you are an employee in that state is that very few people who have some kind of job there are not covered by their employer’s responsibility to take out workers’ compensation insurance. Even if you work as a volunteer and are injured while at work, you may be covered. The very few exceptions do not concern the vast majority of the people with jobs in Oregon, unless their employer has failed to take out insurance. This is in most cases illegal and if you are injured or become ill at work, you may then still receive compensation as determined by the Workers Compensation Division and also may be able to file a personal injury claim against your employer. Normally, if your employer is insured you can only claim compensation through workers’ compensation for medical expenses and lost wages. Despite the near universal occupational requirements that determine which employer has to take out workers’ comp insurance, there are a number of limited exceptions. If you are unsure of your status you can talk to a knowledgeable workers comp attorney or directly to the Workers’ Compensation Division. Your Option For Legal Assistance Because there's a small chance that you may not be entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation, there is always the chance that you might seek to sue your employer privately. This opportunity is not ordinarily available in most workplace accident or illness situations. It does mean there is more onus on you to provide proof that your employer was at fault in some way if you opt for a personal injury lawsuit when on their route is available. Contact a workers’ compensation attorney if unsure of your rights or you need help with your claim.
