Posts made in March 2022

What Qualifies as an “On the Job” Injury for Injury Compensation

Injury Compensation In Oregon

When it comes to injury compensation in Oregon, you might be wondering what counts and what doesn’t count. In basic terms, workplace injuries are those that result from performing the normal activities or duties of the job. Some of the most common causes of these injuries include:

Slips & Falls – This can include an employee sliding on ice outside of your office or slipping on a wet floor.

Improper Lifting Technique – This can cause an immediate injury or a repetitive stress injury, such as tendinitis.

Car Accident – If your employee drives for business purposes, an accident would be considered an on-the-job injury.

While all of these are common ways an employee can get injured at work, those workplace injuries can vary from industry to industry. For example, a construction employee’s threats are quite different from the types of accidents someone working at an accounting firm might experience.

What Does Not Qualify

Injuries can happen anywhere and at any time. If your employee was injured off the job, then workers’ compensation insurance will not provide them with benefits. To qualify for workers’ comp benefits, your employee must receive the injury while doing their job. Outside-of-work injuries will usually be covered by the employee’s health insurance.

What to Do If an Employee Experiences Work-Related Injuries

Work-Related Injuries in OregonInjuries can happen at any job site—no matter what type of work you do. This creates a stressful moment for everybody involved, leading to mistakes happening. This is what you should do if an employee experiences work-related injuries in Oregon. The first step is to remain calm. Next, follow these steps to make sure you do what is best for your employee and your company:

Act Fast – When an employee needs immediate medical attention, your top priority is to help them get it. Call 911 in emergency situations or get an ambulance to take them to the hospital.

Follow All Occupational Safety & Health Administration Recommendations – OSHA requires employers to notify the agency when severe work-related injuries occur. Hospitalizations, eye loss, or amputations need to be reported within 24 hours, while employee deaths must be reported within eight hours.

Review Your Emergency Plan – Follow all of the steps outlined in your company’s personal plan for work-related injuries. If you don’t already have one; now is the time to consider creating one as it can make a big difference when an emergency does occur.

Move Employees to a Safe Place – Move any other employees in the area to a safe place to reduce the risk of additional injured workers.

Review the Situation – Determine how severe the injury is and what caused it. This will help you determine if injury compensation will be needed.

Get Information, Evidence, & Photos – Document the injury with photos—even if they say they are fine. You will want as much information as possible in case they file a claim in the future.

Maintain Open, Honest Communication – Be transparent with your employee and the insurance company as you go through the workers’ compensation claim process.