WCD Adopts Attorney Fee Rules

The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division adopted new attorney fee rules that take effect Sept. 1. In addition to revised wording to enhance clarity, the new rules include a provision for annual adjustments to the hourly rate for attorney fees for claim reclassifications that are based on any increases in the state’s average weekly wage. The rules also include criteria for carriers and self-insured employers to use for determining attorney fees, and a matrix for calculating a reasonable fee that considers a minimum amount of time devoted to the case and is proportionate to the be...