Oregon Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026

Give written notice immediately and use Form 801

Tell the employer about the injury right away and complete Form 801, Report of Job Injury or Illness. Oregon generally requires written notice no later than 90 days after the accident. Limited exceptions may preserve a claim when notice is given within one year and the employer knew of the injury, the worker died within 180 days, or good cause explains the delay.

The employer should forward Form 801 to its insurer within five days. A worker may also begin a claim through the first medical provider using Form 827. Keep a dated copy of every form and describe when, where, and how the injury occurred.

Tell the medical provider the condition is work related

The first provider and worker may complete Form 827. Obtain written work restrictions because time-loss payments generally require authorization from a qualified attending provider. Preserve chart notes, releases, appointment records, bills, mileage, and pharmacy receipts.

Outside a managed care organization, Oregon workers generally may choose a qualified attending provider, subject to statutory limits on provider type and changes. If enrolled in an MCO after claim acceptance, network and internal dispute rules can apply.

Time loss uses a three-day waiting period

For injuries through 2026, TTD generally begins with 66⅔% of AWW, subject to the lesser-of-$50-or-90%-of-wages minimum, annual adjustment factors, and the applicable maximum. TPD is the proportion of the current TTD rate represented by the wage loss.

The waiting period is three consecutive calendar days beginning when the worker leaves work or loses wages because of the injury. Those days become payable when total disability continues for 14 consecutive days or the worker is admitted as a hospital inpatient within 14 days of the first onset of total disability.

The insurer has 60 days after the claim is filed with the employer to accept or deny it. Interim time loss may be available during the deferred period when the requirements are met.

Read the exact appeal language in every notice

A denial letter explains appeal rights. A worker generally must request a hearing from the Workers’ Compensation Board within 60 days of the denial. A late request filed within 180 days may require good cause; other decisions, medical disputes, MCO decisions, and claim-closure reconsideration use different procedures and deadlines.

Do not assume that every dispute has the same 60-day period. Preserve the notice and envelope, record the mailing and receipt dates, and contact the Ombuds Office, WCD, or qualified counsel promptly.

Use Oregon’s official worker resources

The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers assists injured workers independently of WCD and can be reached at 800-927-1271. WCD’s worker information line is 800-452-0288. The Workers’ Compensation Board handles hearing requests.