If you've been hurt on the job in Oregon, you may not be sure what steps to take first, or whether you can see a chiropractor right away without jumping through hoops. The good news: Oregon law gives you clear rights, including the right to choose your own attending physician — and a chiropractor can be that physician from your very first visit.
Here's what the process actually looks like, based on information from Oregon's Workers' Compensation Division (WCD) and the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS).
Step 1: Tell Your Employer Right Away
As soon as you're injured, tell your employer. Oregon's Workers' Compensation Division states that injured workers have the right to file a claim, seek medical care, and access benefits for time off — and your employer cannot stop you from filing.1
Ask your employer for Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness. Your employer is required to send this form to their workers' compensation insurer within five days of being notified of your injury.1
Step 2: Get Medical Care and Complete Form 827
You have the right to seek medical treatment with a doctor of your choice, which can include a licensed chiropractic physician.2 Whichever provider you see first should complete Form 827, the Worker's and Health Care Provider's Report for Workers' Compensation Claims, together with you. If your provider is the very first one you've seen for this injury, they're required to send this form to the insurer within three working days.3
Can a Chiropractor Be My Attending Physician?
Yes. Under Oregon Revised Statute 656.005, a licensed chiropractic physician can serve as your attending physician for a cumulative total of 60 days from your first visit, or 18 visits — whichever comes first.4 During this period, your chiropractor is responsible for directing your treatment and can authorize time off work for up to 30 days.5
If you need chiropractic care beyond that 60-day or 18-visit limit, continuing care generally requires a referral from a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy.4,5
Step 3: Understand the Claim Timeline
Once your claim is filed, the insurer has up to 60 days to accept or deny it.6 If your claim is accepted, the insurer is generally responsible for your related medical bills. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.1,6
Throughout this process, it's important to:
- Read all letters and notices about your claim
- Keep every medical appointment
- Pay attention to deadlines — missing one can affect your rights to benefits1
- Keep copies of everything you send and receive
What If Your Claim Is Denied or Your Case Is Closed?
If your claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing with the Oregon Workers' Compensation Board's Hearings Division.7 A separate process, called reconsideration, applies if your claim was accepted but you disagree with how it was closed — for example, if you believe you were declared "medically stationary" too early, or you disagree with a permanent disability award.7
According to Oregon's Workers' Compensation Division, for a claim closure dispute, you have 60 days from the mailing date of the Notice of Closure to request reconsideration.7 This request goes to the Workers' Compensation Division itself, not to a judge — reconsideration is described as an informal review process, not a hearing.7 The division then has 18 working days to issue a decision, or to notify you that more time is needed (up to an additional 60 days) to gather information, such as scheduling an independent medical exam.7
If you still disagree after reconsideration, you can request an actual hearing with the Workers' Compensation Board's Hearings Division within 30 days of that decision.7
Free Help Is Available
Oregon's Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers provides free help to injured workers navigating claim disputes, reconsiderations, and the appeals process — you do not need to hire an attorney to get this kind of guidance.7
Do You Need a Referral to See a Chiropractor First?
No. For your first visit, no referral is required — Oregon law allows you to choose your attending physician, including a chiropractic physician, from the start.2,4 A referral only becomes necessary if your chiropractic care needs to continue beyond the initial 60-day or 18-visit limit described above.
What This Means for Your Recovery
Many work injuries — strains, sprains, and repetitive-motion issues affecting the back, neck, and shoulders — respond well to the kind of conservative, hands-on care a chiropractor provides. Because you're allowed to choose a chiropractic physician as your attending physician right away, you don't have to wait through a referral process to start care that may help you recover and return to your normal activities.
At your first visit, your chiropractor will evaluate the injury, ask about how it happened, and begin building a treatment plan. As your attending physician, a chiropractor can also authorize time off work for up to 30 days if your injury requires it, and can help document your condition for your claim file.5 If your recovery takes longer than the initial 60-day or 18-visit window, your chiropractor can help coordinate a referral so your care continues without a gap.
At Back In Shape Chiropractic, we can help you understand your specific claim, complete the necessary paperwork, and coordinate with your insurer as part of your care.
1. Oregon Workers' Compensation Division — Injured Worker Overview
2. Oregon WCD — Right to Choose a Treating Physician
3. Oregon DCBS Ombuds Office — Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim
4. Oregon Revised Statute 656.005 — Definition of Attending Physician
5. Oregon WCD — Provider Handbook for Chiropractors
6. Oregon DCBS Ombuds Office — Claim Acceptance and Denial Timeline
7. Oregon Workers' Compensation Division — Appealing a Closed Claim
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a work injury in Oregon?
Tell your employer about your injury as soon as possible and ask for Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness. Your employer must send this form to their workers' compensation insurer within five days of being notified. You have the right to file a claim, and your employer cannot stop you from doing so.
Can a chiropractor be my attending physician for a work injury in Oregon?
Yes. Under Oregon law (ORS 656.005), a licensed chiropractic physician can serve as your attending physician for a cumulative total of 60 days from your first visit, or 18 visits, whichever comes first. After that period, continuing chiropractic care generally requires a referral from a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor for a work injury?
No referral is required for your first visit. Oregon law allows injured workers to choose their own attending physician, including a chiropractic physician, without a referral. A referral becomes relevant only if you need chiropractic care beyond the initial 60-day or 18-visit limit.
What form does my doctor need to fill out for my workers' comp claim?
Your healthcare provider will complete Form 827, the Worker's and Health Care Provider's Report for Workers' Compensation Claims, at your first visit. If you are the first provider the patient sees, this form must be sent to the insurer within three working days.
What if my workers' comp claim is denied?
You have the right to request a hearing with the Oregon Workers' Compensation Board. If your claim was accepted but you disagree with how it was closed, a separate process called reconsideration applies, and you generally have 60 days from the Notice of Closure to request it. Oregon's Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers offers free help navigating this process.
Ready to Get Started?
Call, text, or book online — we're happy to help you understand your claim before your first visit.
Workers' compensation rules and coverage can vary based on your specific claim, employer, and insurer. For questions about your individual situation, contact Oregon's Workers' Compensation Division, the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, or an attorney.
