Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 656 § 656.291 — Expedited Claim Service; jurisdiction; procedure; representation; rules

Expedited Claim Service; jurisdiction; procedure; representation; rules. (1) The Workers’ Compensation Board, by rule, shall establish an Expedited Claim Service to provide for prompt, informal disposition of claims. (2) The board shall assign to the service those claims: (a) For which a hearing has been requested when the only matters unresolved do not include compensability of the claim and the amount in controversy is $1,000 or less; or (b) For which the only matters unresolved are attorney fees or penalties. (3)(a) The amount in controversy shall be deemed less than $1,000 if the party requesting hearing so indicates, the other party does not disagree and the Administrative Law Judge does not conclude, based on the evidence, that the amount in controversy exceeds $1,000. In a case assigned pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section, if the Administrative Law Judge finds that the amount in controversy exceeds $1,000, the Administrative Law Judge shall refer the case for disposition under the ordinary hearing process. (b) Cases assigned to the Expedited Claim Service pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section shall be heard within 30 days of the request for hearing, and an order shall be issued within 10 days of the close of the hearing. (c) No hearing shall be held in cases assigned to the Expedited Claim Service pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section unless the Administrative Law Judge finds that the dispute cannot be decided on stipulated facts. (4) The board, by rule, shall establish the procedures for disposition of claims by the Expedited Claim Service to insure fair and just treatment of workers in all such proceedings. (5) Notwithstanding ORS 9.320 or any provision of this chapter, an individual who is not an attorney may represent oneself or other persons who consent to such representation at any proceeding before the Expedited Claim Service. (6) Any compromises, agreements, admissions, stipulations, statements of fact that are made or other such action taken by the representative is binding on those represented to the same extent as if done by an attorney. A person so represented may not thereafter claim that any such proceeding or meeting was legally defective because the person was not represented by an attorney. (7) An individual who is not an attorney may not represent a claimant for a fee at any proceeding under this chapter. (8) As used in this subsection, “attorney” has the meaning for that term provided in ORS 9.005. [1987 c.884 §18]