OAR 436-060-0135: Injured Worker, Worker’s Attorney Responsible to Assist in Investigation; Suspension of Compensation and Notice to Worker

(1) Worker’s responsibility to assist in investigation. A worker must submit to and fully cooperate with in person or telephone interviews and other formal or informal information gathering techniques reasonably requested by the insurer. Interviews may be recorded on audio or video by one or more of the parties if prior written notice is given of the intent to record an interview. (2) Request to suspend compensation. The insurer may request for the director to suspend compensation by order when the worker refuses or fails to cooperate in an investigation of an initial claim for compensation, a claim for a new medical condition, a claim for an omitted medical condition, or an aggravation claim as required by ORS 656.262(14), under the following conditions: (a) The insurer must notify the worker in writing that an interview or deposition has been scheduled, or of other investigation requirements: (A) The notice must be sent to the worker and copied to the worker’s attorney, if any, and must contain the following: (i) The date, time, and place of the interview or deposition, if scheduled; (ii) Any other reasonable investigation requirements; (iii) That the interview, deposition, or any other investigation requirements are related to the worker’s compensation claim; and (iv) The following statement in bold and formatted as follows: The law requires you to cooperate and assist in the investigation of your workers’ compensation claim. This means you must take part and fully cooperate with: - Personal and telephone interviews, and - Other formal or informal information gathering techniques. If you do not reasonably cooperate: - Your workers’ compensation benefits may be suspended, and - Your claim may be denied under ORS 656.262 and OAR 436-060. (B) If the insurer contracts with a third party to investigate the claim, the notice must be on the insurer’s stationery and must meet the requirements of this section; and (C) The worker must be given 14 days to cooperate with the notice. (b) The director will consider requests to authorize suspension of benefits only after the worker has been given at least 14 days to cooperate with the notice under subsection (a) of this rule; and under the following conditions: (A) The director will only consider requests in claims on which no acceptance or denial has been issued; (B) The worker must have the opportunity to submit information disputing the insurer’s request for suspension of compensation before the director will issue an order; (C) The director may determine whether special circumstances exist that would not warrant suspension of compensation for failure to cooperate with an investigation; (D) The insurer must make the request to suspend benefits to the director in writing, and must send a copy of the request, including all attachments, simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney, if any by registered or certified mail or by personal service; (E) The insurer’s request must include the following information sufficient to show the worker’s failure to cooperate: (i) That the insurer requests suspension of benefits under ORS 656.262(15) and this rule; (ii) Documentation of the specific actions of the worker or worker’s attorney that prompted the request; (iii) Any reasons given by the worker for failure to comply, or a statement that the worker has not given any reasons; (iv) A copy of the notice required in (2)(a) of this rule; (v) All available written documentation of the worker’s notice to file a claim, including, but not limited to, a copy of Form 801 and Form 827; and (vi) All other pertinent information, including, but not limited to, a copy of the claim for a new or omitted condition when that is what the insurer is investigating. (c) After receiving the insurer’s request to suspend benefits, the director will notify all parties that: (A) The worker’s benefits will be suspended in five business days unless: (i) The worker or the worker’s attorney contacts the division as specified in the director’s notice and explains how the worker's failure to cooperate was reasonable; or (ii) The insurer notifies the division that the worker is now cooperating; (B) The insurer’s obligation to accept or deny the claim within 60 days is suspended unless the insurer’s request is filed with the division after the 60 days to accept or deny the claim has expired; (d) If the worker cooperates within five business days of the director’s notice under subsection (c), the insurer must notify the director immediately to withdraw the suspension request. Upon receiving the insurer’s notification: (A) The director will notify all the parties of the withdrawal; and (B) The director may issue an order identifying the dates during which the insurer’s obligation to accept or deny the claim was suspended; (e) If the worker contacts the division and documents the failure to cooperate was reasonable within five business days of the director’s notice under subsection (c), the director will not suspend payment of compensation. However, an order may be issued identifying the dates during which the insurer’s obligation to accept or deny the claim was suspended; and (f) If the worker has not cooperated with the investigation, or has not documented that the failure to cooperate was reasonable within five business days of the director’s notice under subsection (c), the director will issue an order suspending all or part of the payment of compensation to the worker: (A) The suspension of compensation will be effective from the fifth business day after the date of the director’s notice under subsection (c), and will remain in effect until the worker reasonably cooperates with the investigation; (B) If the worker reasonably cooperates with the investigation, the insurer must reinstate the worker’s benefits immediately; or (C) If the worker makes no effort to cooperate within 30 days of the date of the notice, the insurer may deny the claim under ORS 656.262(15) and OAR 436-060-0140(8). (3) Request for penalty against worker’s attorney. An insurer that believes that a worker’s attorney’s unwillingness or unavailability to participate in an interview is unreasonable may notify the director in writing and the director will consider assessment of a civil penalty against the attorney of not more than $1,000. (a) The worker’s attorney must have the opportunity to dispute the allegation before a penalty is assessed. (b) A copy of the notice must be sent simultaneously to the worker and the worker’s attorney. Notice to the division by the insurer must contain the following information: (A) What specific actions of the attorney prompted the request; (B) Any reasons given by the attorney for failing to participate in the interview; and (C) A copy of the request for interview sent to the attorney. (4) Failure to comply with this rule. Failure to comply with the requirements of this rule will be grounds for denial of the insurer’s request. Any delay in requesting suspension under section (2) of this rule may result in authorization being denied.