Although the average Portland, Oregon, worker probably tries to be careful while on the job and follow the rules, like anyone else, employees do make mistakes. Moreover, it is an unfortunate reality that sometimes these mistakes leave that employee seriously and even permanently injured.
Such people may, either at the subtle urging or their employers or otherwise, think that because they were responsible for their own injuries, filing for benefits under Oregon’s workers’ compensation system is simply not a viable option. This, however, is not the case.
Like other states, Oregon has a no-fault workers’ compensation system. Subject to a few limited exceptions, this means that an injured worker can claim benefits simply because his or her injury happened while the worker was on duty. The fact that the worker may have contributed to his or her own injuries or could have prevented them is largely irrelevant. This is true even if the worker may have violated a safety procedure or other rule.
If a worker thinks that he or she is to blame for his or her own injury, then the worker should still consider speaking with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney in the Portland area. Generally speaking, while the employee shouldn’t feel hesitant to file a claim, the employee could still get some resistance to the payment of benefits. However, with a legal advocate at their side, they will hopefully be able to get all of the medical benefits and lost wages to which they are entitled and do so in a manner that is efficient and, insofar as possible, not stressful.
