Oregon’s State Action Insurance Fund (SAIF) is a state-chartered, not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurance carrier serving Oregon’s workers and employers. SAIF has been in existence since 1914 and is the leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance in the state.
SAIF provides benefits and return-to-work assistance to injured workers, with a mission to make workers’ compensation insurance available and affordable to employers across the state. The company’s vision is to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work.
While Oregon’s workers’ compensation system is better than most, it’s still far from perfect. At Ransom, Gilbertson, Martin, & Ratliff, LLP, we see it as our duty to hold SAIF accountable and ensure they treat each and every one of our clients with the fairness and dignity they deserve. Our expert attorneys have extensive experience handling SAIF cases and we work tirelessly to help our clients get the care and compensation they’re entitled to.
SAIF Facts and Statistics
Headquartered in Salem, SAIF serves the entire state of Oregon and is the largest workers’ comp insurance provider in the state. SAIF has approximately 1,000 employees and handles tens of thousands of claims each year. In addition to their Salem headquarters, SAIF operates regional offices in Bend, Eugene, Medford, North Bend, and Portland.
As of 2019, SAIF insured 54,397 customers statewide, including thousands of small businesses and some of Oregon’s largest employers. SAIF plays a vital role in our workers’ compensation system. Such a substantial (and important) organization requires oversight, accountability, and – when necessary – scrutiny. That’s where we come in.
What Does the State Accident Insurance Fund Do In Workers’ Comp Cases?
One of SAIF’s primary objectives is to provide safety services and support to Oregon businesses and workers to help them avoid accidents in the first place. However, not all workplace injuries are avoidable, so, in addition to preventative services, SAIF also provides benefits and return-to-work assistance to injured workers.
With regard to workers’ compensation cases in Oregon, SAIF does the following:
- Underwrites policies
- Adjusts and pays claims
- Helps injured workers return to work (in modified jobs, if necessary)
- Provides vocational assistance
- Advocates for a balanced system
- Reviews medical bills to ensure they are appropriate and accurate
- Investigates the cause of workplace accidents
- Works to expose and eliminate fraud
- Presents cases before the Workers’ Compensation Board, administrative law judges, and courts
- Audits payrolls and classifications to ensure premiums are accurate
- Works through credit and collection issues
Problems With SAIF
In recent years, both citizens and public officials, including state senators, have questioned SAIF’s management practices. As a state-chartered insurance company, SAIF pays no taxes and has the power to price insurance policies aggressively, turning large profits. In some instances, the system treats injured workers unfairly.
For example, SAIF often denies claims that shouldn’t be denied, refuses to cover medical treatments that should be covered, closes cases before the injured worker has recovered, and underpays permanent-disability compensation.
If you have been treated unfairly by SAIF, it’s important to seek qualified, local legal representation and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our skilled attorneys at Ransom, Gilbertson, Martin, & Ratliff, LLP have successfully proven many cases against SAIF and we’re dedicated to fighting for your best interests.
The Three-Way Competitive System
Oregon’s workers’ compensation system is set up as a competitive, three-way system which includes SAIF, private insurers, and self-insured employers. Although SAIF’s board of directors is appointed by the governor, it is a not-for-profit company and not a state agency. SAIF doesn’t receive any public funding and relies solely on customer premiums.
The idea is that, by fostering a competitive environment, employers have access to lower premiums and Oregon workers are better served. However, in some cases, injured workers are forced to fight to get the compensation they deserve. That’s where a team of experienced workers’ compensation attorneys can help.
Get the Care & Compensation You Deserve With the Help of Our Experienced Oregon Attorneys
The expert attorneys at Ransom, Gilbertson, Martin, & Ratliff, LLP have extensive knowledge of Oregon’s State Accident Insurance Fund (SAIF), and we are committed to getting you the help you need. We have successfully handled thousands of SAIF claims. We know the ins and outs of the system, and we work tirelessly to ensure that SAIF treats each and every one of our clients justly.
We believe everyone in Oregon deserves fair and proper treatment. If you have a SAIF claim, or if you’ve been denied the compensation you’re entitled to, our experienced attorneys can help.
We offer completely free, no-obligation consultations and we never charge you anything unless we win your case. Contact us today to get started!