Bill Would Allow Injured Workers to Reject Job Offers Without Losing Benefits

Oregon lawmakers are considering a proposal that would eliminate two conditions under which an injured worker could refuse a job without forfeiting workers’ compensation benefits. Senate Bill 1584, by Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, would eliminate statutory language allowing injured workers to turn down job offers that are not with the employer at injury or not at a site of the employer at injury without losing benefits. Under terms of the bill, injured workers could still reject jobs that are more than 50 miles from their workplace or that require a commute that is beyond the...