How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Oregon
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Oregon · Last updated 2026-09-07
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee who is injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without having to prove the employer was at fault. In Oregon, the system is administered by the Workers' Compensation Division (WCD) within the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), and denied claims are contested before the Workers' Compensation Board. Two deadlines are critical. You must give your employer notice of the accident right away, and no later than 90 days after the accident (ORS 656.265). For an occupational disease, you generally have one year from when you discovered the disease to file (ORS 656.807), and an accidental-injury claim is barred entirely if notice is not given within one year of the accident (ORS 656.265). After you report the injury, you complete Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness, and return it to your employer, which forwards it to its insurer within five days. The insurer then accepts or denies the claim, and if it is denied you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board within 60 days (ORS 656.319). Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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Where are you after your work injury?
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Oregon?
First, tell your employer about the injury right away, and no later than 90 days after the accident (ORS 656.265). Then fill out Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness, and return it to your employer, which forwards it to its insurer to open your claim.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Oregon?
Two deadlines matter. You must notify your employer of the accident within 90 days (ORS 656.265). Separately, an occupational-disease claim must be filed within one year of discovering the disease (ORS 656.807), and an injury claim is barred if notice comes more than one year after the accident.
What is Form 801 in Oregon?
Form 801 is Oregon's Report of Job Injury or Illness, the form you use to start a workers' compensation claim. Your employer should provide it. You fill out your part, describe the injury, and return it to your employer, which sends it to its insurer within five days.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Oregon?
Oregon's workers' compensation system is administered by the Workers' Compensation Division (WCD), part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). Your employer's insurer, or a self-insured employer, decides your claim day to day. If it is denied, the Workers' Compensation Board hears your appeal.
Oregon workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Oregon, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is run by the Workers' Compensation Division (WCD) within the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), and denied claims are contested before the Workers' Compensation Board. You must give your employer notice of the accident right away, and no later than 90 days after it (ORS 656.265). You then complete Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness, and return it to your employer, which forwards it to its insurer within five days. For an occupational disease, you generally have one year from discovery to file (ORS 656.807). If the insurer denies the claim, you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge within 60 days (ORS 656.319).
Filing an Oregon workers' compensation claim after a warehouse back injury
Suppose you hurt your back lifting boxes at an Oregon warehouse. You tell your supervisor and, the same week, report the injury in writing, well inside the 90-day deadline (ORS 656.265). Your employer gives you Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness. You complete your section, describe the injury, keep a copy, and return it, and your employer forwards it to its insurer within five days. The insurer starts paying for medical treatment but later denies part of your wage-replacement benefits. Because you must act within 60 days of the mailing of the denial (ORS 656.319), you request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
ORS 656.265 (90-day notice of accident to employer)
Provides that notice of an accident resulting in an injury or death shall be given immediately by the worker to the employer, but not later than 90 days after the accident, and that failure to give notice bars a claim unless notice is given within one year and the employer had knowledge or the worker shows good cause.
ORS 656.807 (one-year period to file an occupational disease claim)
Provides that all occupational disease claims are void unless filed with the insurer or self-insured employer within one year of the later of when the worker discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the disease, or the date the worker became disabled or was informed by a physician of the disease.
ORS 656.319 (60-day deadline to request a hearing on a denial)
Provides that a hearing on a claimant's objection to a denial shall not be granted unless a request for hearing is filed no later than the 60th day after the denial is mailed, or the 180th day if the claimant establishes good cause for the delay.
Oregon Workers' Compensation Division, File a claim (injured worker)
The WCD injured-worker page instructs employees to tell their employer about a work-related injury or illness right away, to fill out Form 801 and turn it in to the employer, and states that the employer should send it to its workers' compensation insurance carrier within five days of the notice.
Regional Variances
Oregon workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
Notice of the accident to your employer right away, and no later than 90 days after the accident, under ORS 656.265. A late claim can be allowed within one year only with employer knowledge or good cause.
Claim form
Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness. Your employer should provide it. You complete your section and return it, and the employer forwards it to its insurer within five days to open the claim.
Filing deadline
For an occupational disease, one year from when you discovered, or should have discovered, the disease under ORS 656.807. For an accidental injury, the claim is barred if notice is not given within one year of the accident.
Who administers it
The Workers' Compensation Division (WCD), within the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). Denied claims are contested before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board.
How disputes are filed
By requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board when the insurer denies the claim. The request must be filed within 60 days of the mailing of the denial under ORS 656.319.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer in writing
Within 90 days of the accident days after startingGive your employer notice of the accident right away, and no later than 90 days after it (ORS 656.265). Reporting late can bar your claim unless the employer had knowledge or you show good cause, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy.
Get Form 801 from your employer
As soon as you report the injury days after startingYour employer should provide Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness. If it does not arrive, request the form in writing and note the date you asked. You can also download the form from the Oregon WCD website.
Complete and return Form 801
As soon as you receive the form days after startingFill out your section of Form 801, describing the injury and affected body parts, sign and date it, and return it to your employer, which forwards it to its insurer within five days. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Get medical care and keep records
Ongoing after the injury days after startingSeek treatment, tell the provider your injury is work-related, and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the insurer later disputes benefits.
Track the insurer's decision and deadlines
While the claim is pending days after startingThe insurer or self-insured employer will accept or deny your claim in writing. Keep proof of what you sent, note the accident date, and if the claim is denied, calendar the 60-day deadline to request a hearing under ORS 656.319.
Request a hearing if the claim is denied
Within 60 days of the mailing of the denial days after startingIf the claim is denied, request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board within 60 days of the mailing of the denial (ORS 656.319). File early to protect your rights, and keep proof of the filing date.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer in writing | Give your employer notice of the accident right away, and no later than 90 days after it (ORS 656.265). Reporting late can bar your claim unless the employer had knowledge or you show good cause, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy. | - | Within 90 days of the accident |
| Get Form 801 from your employer | Your employer should provide Form 801, the Report of Job Injury or Illness. If it does not arrive, request the form in writing and note the date you asked. You can also download the form from the Oregon WCD website. | - | As soon as you report the injury |
| Complete and return Form 801 | Fill out your section of Form 801, describing the injury and affected body parts, sign and date it, and return it to your employer, which forwards it to its insurer within five days. Keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as you receive the form |
| Get medical care and keep records | Seek treatment, tell the provider your injury is work-related, and keep every medical record, bill, and letter from the insurer. Documenting the diagnosis, treatment dates, and any work restrictions supports your claim if the insurer later disputes benefits. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
| Track the insurer's decision and deadlines | The insurer or self-insured employer will accept or deny your claim in writing. Keep proof of what you sent, note the accident date, and if the claim is denied, calendar the 60-day deadline to request a hearing under ORS 656.319. | - | While the claim is pending |
| Request a hearing if the claim is denied | If the claim is denied, request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board within 60 days of the mailing of the denial (ORS 656.319). File early to protect your rights, and keep proof of the filing date. | - | Within 60 days of the mailing of the denial |
Frequently Asked Questions
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee injured on the job, or made sick by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without proving fault. In Oregon, you open a claim by reporting the injury and filing Form 801, and denied claims are heard by the Workers' Compensation Board.
Reporting means giving your employer notice of the accident, which you must do no later than 90 days after it (ORS 656.265). Filing the claim is the separate step of completing Form 801 and returning it to your employer to open the case. Reporting comes first; filing Form 801 follows.
You must give your employer notice of the accident right away, and in no event later than 90 days after the accident (ORS 656.265). A late claim can still be allowed within one year only if the employer knew of the injury or you show good cause for the delay.
It depends on the type of claim. For an occupational disease, you generally have one year from when you discovered, or should have discovered, the disease (ORS 656.807). For an accidental injury, the claim is barred entirely if notice is not given within one year of the accident (ORS 656.265).
Reporting after 90 days can bar your claim. ORS 656.265 says failure to give notice bars a claim unless notice is given within one year of the accident and the employer had knowledge, the worker died within 180 days, or you show good cause for the delay.
Day to day, your employer's insurer or self-insured employer decides whether to accept or deny the claim. If you disagree with a denial, an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board resolves the dispute after you request a hearing (ORS 656.319).
No. Oregon workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. You generally need to show the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. In exchange, benefits are set by statute.
If the insurer denies your claim, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at the Workers' Compensation Board. You must file the request no later than 60 days after the denial is mailed (ORS 656.319). Attorney review of your case is available through DocDraft.
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