After you claim has been accepted, at some point your employer’s insurance carrier will decide that your condition has reached maximum improvement and has become medically stationary. When this happens, your claim will be closed. When your claim has been closed, contact me at (503) 620-3171 or at slgabin@pacifier.com to find out whether you should appeal the closure.

Claim Closure - Non-Disabling Injuries

If the carrier thinks your injury is non-disabling, you will receive only a letter but you may request a reclassification to disabling. I represent injured workers with disabling claims that have been labeled improperly as non-disabling.

Claim Closure – Disabling Injuries and Awards

If the carrier thinks your condition is disabling, you will receive a document called “Notice of Closure” and this document, typically, will state an “award” for permanent partial disability. An “award” is a benefit and you give up nothing to receive it. An award is not a “settlement” where you cash out your benefits, including your award. You may appeal the closure AND “cash” the award while you appeal. I represent injured workers who in appeals of awards that are too low.

Critical Time Limits

If you have received only a letter stating that your claim is closed and is non-disabling, you have one year to challenge this classification.

If you have received a “Notice of Closure,” you have 60 days from the date of closure to appeal the closure by requesting a reconsideration. In a reconsideration, you may challenge the closure date and the amount of award given.

Do not lose your opportunity to challenge a claim closure by missing the deadline.

Fees

If you are successful obtaining an increased award for permanent partial disability, my fee is 10 percent of the increase.

Free Consultation

Please contact me at (503) 620-3171 or at slgabin@pacifier.com for a free in-person consultation. I return all calls and emails within 24 hours.