Workers Comp / Personal Injury FAQ's

Legal Services (503) 463-8388

Personal Injury Attorney Salem OR Workers Comp Lawyer Keizer OR

Lakepoint Law Firm's staff is dedicated to providing quality service.

Service Locations

  • Salem, OR
  • McMinnville, OR
  • Newberg, OR
  • Keizer, OR

Office

Inland Shores
5605 Inland Shores Way, Suite 206
Keizer, OR 97303
(503) 463-8388

Personal Injury Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need an attorney?
Maybe or maybe not. By talking with you on the telephone and/or getting together with you for a meeting, we will be able to assess your situation and jointly decide if your legal problem requires an attorney.
Does it cost anything to meet with you?
No, we offer a free initial consultation. The first meeting is a chance for us to hear about your case, offer you feedback about your legal situation and decide whether we are a good fit for your legal needs.
If I hire you, what does it cost?
Most of our cases are handled on a contingent fee. That means there are no hourly attorney fees for you to worry about. If we are successful in getting a recovery for you, we receive a percentage of the recovery (normally 33 1/3%) as a fee.
I was hurt at work several months ago. How long do I have to file a claim for workers’ compensation?
Injured workers must file their claims in writing within 90 days of their accident unless their employer knows they were hurt, in which case they have up to a year to make their claim. It always is helpful to fill out an accident report even if a claim is not filed right away. If you suffer an occupational disease, you have up to a year to file a claim.

Often, a doctor’s insurance form will be a "claim" even if the worker doesn’t personally turn it in. If there is any doubt about whether a claim was made, it is important to immediately seek legal assistance.
I filed a claim that was denied. I don’t know why. What can I do?
A claim denial is supposed to list the reasons why benefits are refused. Often the only way to know why a claim really was rejected is to obtain the claims file, which must be sent at no charge to your legal representative upon request.

A worker has 60 days to appeal a denial of their claim. If there is "good cause" for not appealing within 60 days, a hearing may be requested up to 180 days after a denial is mailed. If there is proven mental incompetency, an appeal may be filed up to 5 years after a denial.
My accident claim was accepted. Does my employer have to pay for all my medical care?
Not necessarily, depending on what medical conditions were officially accepted. If you suffered multiple injuries or conditions, not all may be listed on your claim. Workers must specifically ask, in writing, to have new or omitted conditions included in their claim. Then the insurer or employer has 60 days to respond.

You also may be enrolled in a “managed care organization” which limits the doctors and treatments you receive. If the MCO has refused to authorize treatment, an appeal must be filed with the organization first to protect your rights.