Know Your Rights

 

  1. You don’t need a referral to see one of our chiropractic doctors!
  2. Don’t sign any documents unless you are certain of the terms.
  3. You have the right to consult with an attorney.
  4. If you have Oregon auto insurance, you automatically have insurance coverage for reasonable and necessary treatment of your injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions When You’ve Been in a Car Accident

I have an Oregon car insurance policy, but I got into an accident out of state. Can I still get treatment?

Yes, you can. Since you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your Oregon policy, you may get treatment even if your accident was in another state.

Can you bill the car insurance of the person who hit me?

Our company prefers billing your auto insurance, or getting treatment on lien if you do not have insurance. This protects both you and us.

How much money do I have available for treatment?

This varies with each individual auto insurance plan. Please contact your insurance for details. The amount of Personal Injury Protection for each person involved in a crash in Oregon is $15,000.

What happens if I don’t file an Oregon Traffic Accident and Insurance Report?

The Department of Licensing may suspend your license.

How long will it take me to get better?

Once your doctor has examined you, he or she will have a good estimate of how long your injuries may take to heal. In addition to care we provide in-office, we will recommend certain things to do at home. Daily performance of home care, in addition to coming to therapy, will help you get better the fastest. Ask your doctor what you can do at home to speed recovery.

Why is it important to treat injuries when they are new?

Our bodies are very good at self-repair. However, after an injury, the body lays down fibrin (scar tissue) to repair and secure the area after a trauma. This self-repair is important, but often leads to chronic mild pain and dysfunction. Once the injury is older, we must gently break up scar tissue and direct the body to heal correctly. We ensure fresh injuries heal with proper joint mechanics, proper muscle tone, stability, and pain-free motion. When treating new injuries, we do not have to break up old scar tissue, thus the process is usually much faster.

What if I can’t work?

During your first visit, the doctor will assess your ability to perform your normal job. When medically necessary, the doctor may write a note to excuse you from work for a certain amount of time. If you are able to work, but cannot lift your normal amount of weight, you may be placed on a temporary lifting restriction. Lifting ability is often slowly increased to normal over time. Lifting restrictions are in place to protect your body from more injury. Lifting restrictions also protect your employer, as they do not want you getting hurt on the job when in a weakened state. Please communicate any troubles you have with lifting/work restrictions. We are here to help you through the entire process with comfort.

Do I still get paid if I can’t work?

If you are unable to work for more than 14 consecutive days, you may receive temporary disability payments at a percentage of your normal income. This is through your Personal Injury Protection insurance plan. Please ask doctors or staff for more information if this applies to you.

In Oregon, insurance companies have the right to deny PIP benefits to whom?

  • An insured person who was racing at the time of the accident
  • An insured person who hides or lies about any material fact in connection with a claim
  • Pedestrians you hit outside the state of Oregon (besides your family).

What should I do with insurance papers I get in the mail from the insurance company?

Do not sign any legal papers, even from the insurance company (yours or the other drivers), if you don’t understand their meaning.

What if I have legal questions?

Oftentimes, legal questions can be answered by an attorney at no cost to you, and if there is any trouble with your claim and/or recovery, an attorney can be a valuable asset. Woodstock Chiropractic Clinic can give referrals for attorneys you can trust.

Frequently Asked Questions When You’ve Been Hurt on the Job

What if my boss doesn’t have worker’s compensation insurance?

According to Oregon law ORS 656.023, every employer with one or more subject workers must have insurance to cover an injured worker. If your boss doesn’t have worker’s compensation insurance, it’s processed as a non-complying employer and Oregon law ORS 656.054 states your claim will be processed the same as if your employer did have worker’s compensation insurance.

What if I get enrolled in a Managed Care Organization (MCO)?

Occasionally, injured workers get enrolled in a Managed Care Organization and must continue treatment with doctors who are in contract with that MCO. Medical bills will be covered for a period of 14 days at Woodstock Chiropractic after the date on the notice of enrollment. If this arises, please inform staff at Woodstock and we will help you through this process. If you are a previous patient of ours, we may be able to continue treating you.

If I get injured during a probationary period, am I covered?

Yes

If I’m undocumented and I get hurt on the job, can I get treatment and use the worker’s compensation insurance?

Yes

What if I’m paid in cash and get hurt, can I go to the doctor and get treatment?

Yes. Your employer should have worker’s compensation insurance, if you are deemed a subject worker.

What if an employee hurts me on the job, or hits me? Am I covered under worker’s compensation insurance?

Yes

I was driving on the job and got hit by another car, what insurance do I get coverage through?

First, the claim goes through your employer’s worker compensation insurance, next is the auto insurance of the vehicle you were in, and the next payer is the auto insurance of the person that hit you. If the vehicle you were in does not have medical coverage (PIP) insurance, then you can go through your own car insurance, or insurance of a spouse or relative you live with.

Do you contact my boss when I come for treatment?

We send Form 827 (for Oregon injuries), that you and your doctor fill out, to the worker’s compensation insurance company to help open your claim. We do not send any of your health information to your boss.

Can my boss fire me for seeking treatment for a work-related injury?

Oregon law prohibits discrimination against you for seeking treatment of a work-related injury, if the company has 6 or more employees (ORS 659A.040).

What if I can’t work?

During your first visit, the doctor will assess your ability to perform your normal job. When medically necessary, the doctor may write a note to excuse you from work for a certain amount of time. If you are able to work, but cannot lift your normal amount of weight or perform your normal job duties, you may be placed on a temporary lifting restriction. Lifting ability is often slowly increased to normal over time. Lifting restrictions are in place to protect your body from more injury. Lifting restrictions also protect your employer, as they do not want you getting hurt on the job when in a weakened state. Please communicate any troubles you have with lifting/work restrictions. We are here to help you through the entire process with comfort.

I don’t get health insurance through work. Am I still covered?

Yes. Even though you might not have GROUP health insurance (Kaiser, Regence, etc), your employer MUST have worker’s compensation Insurance if the business is in the State of Oregon or Washington.  Worker’s compensation insurance covers ALL subject employees of the company for work-related injuries.  Group health insurance covers other health issues (not injuries on the job).

How long can I come to Woodstock for my work-related injury?

If your injury is not resolved within 60 days or 18 visits (whichever comes first), we will refer you to a medical doctor for consultation of your injuries. That doctor will take over the treatment plan for your injury. You may continue treatment at Woodstock Chiropractic, but it must be on referral from the medical doctor. We are very familiar with this process, and can help guide you through this with ease.

What if I wasn’t doing any work when I got hurt on the job?

If you were clocked in at work, it still counts.

Am I still covered if I’m a seasonal worker?

Yes, if you are a subject worker.

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