Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals Conducts Stakeholder Meeting
On May 21, 2021, the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals held a Stakeholder’s meeting to discuss several important topics. COVID-19 Reopening Status The Board announced…
Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries Issues Updated SIF-2 Forms and Addendum to Prior SIF-2 Forms for Use by June 30, 2021
While most of the focus in workers’ compensation’s recent legislative developments and changes are focused on those brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it…
Unreasonable Claim Closure in Oregon: Why Chronic Condition Impairment Matters
The time has come to close your claim. Your claim closure checklist likely has a section for “chronic condition” impairment but how can you be…
The Future of Live Hearings in Oregon Workers’ Compensation
Last September, I wrote about the Oregon Workers’ Compensation Board’s (WCB) announcement of its upcoming utilization of Zoom for Government to facilitate administrative hearings and…
Oregon OSHA Adopted Permanent COVID-19 Workplace Rules May 4, 2021
On May 4, 2021, the Oregon Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) adopted permanent workplace rules related to COVID-19. The temporary rules OSHA previously adopted…
COVID Reopening: Can (and should) Oregon Employers Require Employees to be Vaccinated?
As businesses reopen and bring back employees who have been working remotely, many employers are wondering how to manage worksite safety in the pandemic era….
Governor Inslee Expected to Sign Additional COVID-19 Related Legislation
Over the past year, the Washington legislature has passed several bills meant to protect workers from the impacts of COVID-19. During the most recent session,…
Washington L&I Updates Guidance on Out-of-State Travel for IMEs
For employers with Washington claims involving individuals who have moved out of state, the pandemic has made it very difficult to obtain independent medical examinations….
Washington Workers’ Compensation in a Work from Home World
If there is one thing the pandemic showed us – outside of the beauty of sourdough and the ease of making chicken stock – it…
Big Changes to Structured Settlements with Passage of Washington’s Senate Bill 5046
A claim resolution structured settlement agreement (“CRSSA”) is a type of settlement agreement that can be utilized in matters involving claimants of at least 50…
Join SBH at its 11th Annual Washington Workshop
Although we are all still working from home, we know you need your Washington Claims Examiner Credits. We have an excellent lineup of speakers and…
BOLI Passes Permanent Rules Relating to OFLA Sick Child Leave During Public Health Emergency
In March 2020, Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) temporarily expanded Oregon Family Leave Act leave to extend protected leave to include employee leave…
Washington Legislature Considers New Presumptions for COVID-19
In the past, the Washington legislature created presumptive workers’ compensation causation for firefighters and workers at the Hanford Site. The legislature is close to creating…
Oregon Legislature Considering Dismantling Self-Insurance in Oregon
The Senate Committee on Labor and Business recently held a public hearing on two concerning pieces of legislation, SB-801 and SB-802. While the hearing initially…
Join Attorney Jamie Carlton in Webinar: Can Employer’s Require Vaccines?
Join SBH Attorney Jamie Carlotn and Nicolle Farup of Good Company HR as they discuss whether employers can and should require vaccines. This all-important webinar…
What’s Brewing at the Oregon Legislature in Employment Law?
Although it is not meeting as often as it did in pre-COVID times, the Oregon Legislature has been busy evaluating several bills. Some of these…
The Pacific Northwest Worker: Subjectivity of the Traveling Employee
Given their proximity to each other, workers’ in Oregon and Washington often find themselves traveling to/from both states as part of their jobs. Both Oregon…
Oregon OSHA Proposes “Permanent” COVID-19 Rules
Recently, Oregon OSHA formally proposed a “permanent” COVID-19 rule to replace the temporary rule, which is set to expire May 4, 2021. Oregon OSHA’s rule…
Tips and Tricks for Independent Medical Exams (IMEs)
Independent medical examinations (IMEs) are a great tool for claims examiners to use in processing at the beginning, middle, and end of claim. They are…
Combined Conditions in Oregon Workers’ Compensation: Not always a Simple Open and Shut Case
Combined condition acceptances and denials can be a useful claim processing tool in Oregon for several reasons. They can be used as a defense against…
As COVID-19 Pandemic Continues, Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries Continues to Adapt
As the COVID-19 pandemic endures and uncertainty surrounds vaccine roll outs, the virus continues to impact our everyday lives and how we conduct our businesses….
Oregon’s 2021 Legislative Session has Started: SBH’s Watchlist
The Oregon State legislative session for 2021 is underway and we have seen several bills introduced in the House and the Senate that will be…
Join SBH Attorney Steve Verotsky to learn about Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Insurance
SBH resident Longshore expert, Steve Verotsky, will join Dan Schaller from Woodruff Sawyer and Moderator Gary McCann on Wednesday February 10 at 12:00 pm in…
Washington Legislature Begins 2021 Session: Senate Bill 502
The Washington Legislature started its 2021 session on January 11, 2021 and recently began deliberations on several bills including Senate Bill 5102 which includes numerous…
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, keep in mind OAR 436-060-0141 requirements before issuing a denial
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Oregon, it is reasonable to anticipate a corresponding surge in workers’ compensation claims related to confirmed COVID-19 cases…
