Stanley Harrison* was an older longhair driver who hurt his back when he fell off his load while tarping in another state. He drove back to Oregon crippled with pain. Scans and MRI’s did not show any ruptured disc or anything doctors could attribute to the trauma. So, doctors would not say that his crippling … Read more
A worker who has suffered a compensable injury is entitled to additional compensations for worsened conditions which result from the original injury. This is called a “Claim for Aggravation.” However, an injured worker who has suffered a worsening of his injury runs the risk of having his aggravation claim ignored if the required written medical … Read more
You knew your patient with a work injury was having difficulties with her compensation claim. Now you’ve been notified that the lawyers want you for a deposition. This article explains what it is, what is expected of you and how to prepare. MEDICAL EXPERT UNDER OATH Your expert testimony at a deposition is often the … Read more
If you’ve ever advised a patient with a permanently restricting work injury to “re-train, “you may very well have learned that this is easier said than done! There are myriads of rules affecting the decision whether a worker is entitled to “vocational assistance” and, if so, what form this assistance will take. Rules vary … Read more
Claim closure is a major event in your patient’s work injury claim. What is your role in closing a worker’s compensation case? As the attending physician, you are the most important participant in the closing of a worker’s compensation claim. The attending physician is given extraordinary responsibilities in the closing and many of these responsibilities … Read more
A Medford physician asks, when does my patient need an attorney for Workers’ Compensation and motor vehicle accident injuries? Not every injured worker needs legal counsel. However, after Senate Bill 369 (1995), the cards are highly stacked against injured workers. An unsophisticated injured worker may delay filing a claim – out of fear of losing … Read more
A Grants Pass physician asks, how can physician document causation and determine whether a specific activity/job is at least 51% responsible for a problem? This question is pertinent in Workers’ Compensation law. First, we must recognize the difference between an occupational injury and an occupational disease. An occupational injury is a specific event. An occupational … Read more
Our client was injured on the job. Review some of the correspondence which led to our client receiving a $500,000 settlement.