Frequently Asked Questions
What are your areas of practice?
Kryger Alexander Carlson PC’s attorneys specialize in workers’ compensation, personal injury, Social Security Disability, employment discrimination, wills, trusts, estate plans, probate, business and real estate law.
How do I seek representation by Kryger Alexander Carlson PC?
Contact Kryger Alexander Carlson PC at (541) 928-6171 (Albany office) or (503) 581-9770 (Salem office) and let the receptionist know you are seeking an attorney. We represent clients all over Oregon and can consult by phone or in person.
What are your office hours?
Both Albany and Salem offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend appointments are available as well.
I don’t live in the Willamette Valley. Will you still represent me?
Of course! Kryger Alexander Carlson PC represents clients throughout the state including Central and Eastern Oregon, the Oregon Coast and the Willamette Valley.
What do I do if I am injured?
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If you are involved in a work accident, be sure to report the accident and injury to your employer. Always tell the doctor exactly how the injury occurred and be as accurate as possible.
What do I pay for legal representation?
Workers’ compensation, personal injury and Social Security Disability clients are represented on a contingency fee basis. Kryger Alexander Carlson PC doesn’t collect attorney fees until your case is resolved. Often, we are successful in obtaining fees on your behalf directly from insurance companies, at no cost to you. If we do not recover money for you, Kryger Alexander Carlson PC will not collect a fee. We do ask that you pay for costs associated with your case, such as requesting medical records, depositions, transcripts, etc., however we strive to minimize these costs.
Wills, estate plan, trusts, probate, business and real estate clients are charged by the hour in addition to fees associated with your case. Fees can vary depending on the complexities involved in the matter. For more specific details, contact Kryger Alexander Carlson PC’s Albany office at (541) 928-6171.
Where are your offices?
Albany Office
Our Albany office is located at 507 Washington St. SW on the corner of Fifth and Washington in downtown. The office is directly across Washington St. from the historic Whitespires Church and one block west of the Linn County Courthouse on Fifth.
From I-5, take exit 234A and follow signs to City Center. After a mile, at the top of the overpass, exit right, following signs for City Center/Corvallis/Hwy. 20. This will put you onto Ellsworth. Proceed on Ellsworth for three blocks. Turn left on Fifth. Follow Fifth four blocks to the corner of Washington and Fifth. Kryger Alexander Carlson PC is on your left. Enter parking lot by turning left onto Washington then immediately turning left into lot.
From the Oregon Coast, bring Hwy. 20 through Corvallis to Albany. As you come into downtown over the Willamette River, Hwy. 20 will become Lyons. After crossing the bridge, go four blocks and turn right on Fifth. Follow Fifth four blocks to the corner of Washington and Fifth. Kryger Alexander Carlson PC is on your left. Enter parking lot by turning left onto Washington then immediately turning left into lot.
Salem Office
The Salem office is located at 355 Miller St. SE between Liberty and Commercial streets, close to downtown and Bush Park.
From I-5 North, take Commercial Street exit and proceed into town on Commercial. After 5.2 miles, Commercial becomes Liberty. Follow Liberty for 0.5 miles. Turn left onto Miller. Kryger Alexander Carlson PC is in the middle of the block on the right. Enter parking lot by turning right just before the office.
From I-5 South, take Exit 206A for OR-99E Bus/Salem Parkway and follow signs for City Center. Turn right at Commercial. Turn left onto Miller. Kryger Alexander Carlson PC is in the middle of the block on the left hand side of the street. Enter parking lot by immediately turning left after the office.
Workers’ Compensation
How do I receive reimbursement for mileage to doctor visits if I have an accepted workers’ compensation claim?
You need to provide the distance traveled to your medical provider’s office from home and back again, any receipts and the address to which you traveled. Mileage reimbursements may be sent to your insurance adjuster. Kryger Alexander Carlson PC can also handle these requests for you. Simply provide us with the above information and we will submit it to your insurer.
How do I pay for medical treatment and prescriptions?
If your workers’ compensation claim is accepted, your employer’s insurance company covers all medical treatment and prescriptions from approved providers. Be sure to let your doctor’s office know your injury is work-related and provide them with your insurer name and claim number so they can bill the insurer. You may be required to pay out of pocket for prescriptions but the insurer is required to reimburse you if the medication is related to the accepted condition.
My work injury prevents me from working while I recuperate and I can’t go without a paycheck. Can I apply for unemployment or some other benefit?
It is always best to receive time loss benefits through workers’ compensation than unemployment benefits, as time loss benefits are not taxable. Complications and headaches can arise if you attempt to collect both unemployment and time loss benefits at the same time. Your attorney will advise you based on the specifics of your claim. Time loss is available from your insurer if your attending physician authorizes (in writing) time off work or modified work that causes you to lose your regular wages.
I just filed my claim. How long do I have to wait for a decision?
Insurers have up to 60 days in most cases to either accept or deny your claim. You should be sure the claims adjuster has your correct contact information and that you cooperate with the insurer by providing details about your injury and medical treatment so a timely, accurate decision can be made.
I have been scheduled for an “IME.” What does this mean? Do I have to go?
An IME is an insurance medical examination. This is a mandatory exam by a doctor of the insurer’s choosing to assist the insurer in determining whether your work injury is compensable under Oregon law. Though some IME doctors are of higher quality and credibility than others, you are obligated to attend. If you don’t, your claim will likely be denied. You are entitled to mileage reimbursement and in some cases, reimbursement for meals. As always, document mileage and save receipts.
My doctor says I can never return to my old job because of my injury. What now?
We may be able to help you. Depending on a variety of factors, if you cannot return to your regular work due to your accepted conditions, and your employer declines to offer you a job your doctor says you can do, you may qualify for vocational retraining benefits. A Kryger Alexander Carlson PC attorney can provide you with additional information after reviewing with you the specific information involved in your case.
I have heard that settlement of my claim is sometimes possible. What’s a CDA and a DCS?
Settlements involve an agreement with the insurer that is mutually advantageous and provides you with a lump sum of money in return for waiving your right to certain future benefits. A CDA is an acronym for Claim Disposition Agreement and involves the settlement of an accepted claim. A DCS means Disputed Claim Settlement and involves the settlement of a denied condition. Settlements often involve both these types of agreements. Kryger Alexander Carlson PC’s skilled and experienced attorneys can navigate you through often treacherous settlement negotiations to ensure you receive maximum value for your claim and that you are never exploited or “ripped off” by the insurer. But first, our attorneys will work closely with you to first determine whether settlement is even in your best interests. If it is not, we will be candid with you and provide a forthright assessment of why other options may be best for your particular circumstances. Our clients’ best long and short-term interests are always our most paramount concern.
Social Security Disability
At what point in filing for Social Security Disability will Kryger Alexander Carlson PC begin to represent me?
We will always be happy to represent you at any step along the way. The most efficient way for you is to apply for Social Security Disability benefits through your local Social Security Administration office and wait until you receive your second denial of benefits (called a Reconsideration Order) before contacting us. This means that you should immediately appeal the first denial you receive directly. Once you have the Reconsideration Order, give us a call as soon as possible so we can appeal it timely and get your case before a judge. For additional information, please give us a call or visit your local Social Security Administration Office or contact the SSA at www.ssa.gov or (800) 772-1213.
How do attorney fees work in Social Security Disability cases?
Like workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, we will represent you on a contingent fee basis. This means that if we win, we will be awarded an attorney fee. If we do not prevail in your case, you will not owe any attorney fee. The amount of the fee is set by federal law and is equal to 25 percent of the past due benefits you receive after we win your case, up to a certain limit set by law. However, as with all contingent fee cases, there may be minimal costs associated with building the strongest possible case, such as obtaining doctor reports and chart notes, that we will pay and then pass along to you. These costs represent your investment in your case and will be your responsibility whether we win or lose. We do everything possible to minimize these costs while maximizing your potential for winning.