Workers Compensation Board history

1911: Wisconsin passes the Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Act, the first state to do so.

The first workers' compensation laws were enacted in Texas in 1913 and held fast to the principle that employers should be allowed to choose whether to offer workers' compensation benefits to their employees.

The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) had its origins in an organization established in 1916 to administer claims under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act.

In 1964, insurance carriers reported about $3 million in direct losses paid.

By 1974, that number grew to about $14 million in paid direct losses.

The Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977 provides monthly payments and medical treatment to coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis (black lung) arising from their employment in the nation’s coal mines, and monthly payments to their surviving dependents.

By 1979, direct losses paid by carriers totaled a little over $55 million.

By 1984, this number grew to almost $128 million.

In 1986, Oregon ranked sixth highest in the nation in the average workers’ compensation premium rates paid by employers.

In 1987, amid growing public complaints about high insurance costs for employers and low benefit rates for injured workers, the Texas Legislature appointed a Joint Select Committee on Workers' Compensation Insurance to make recommendations for change.

The 1989 Workers' Compensation Act established a new benefits system, raised basic benefit levels and set tight deadlines for employers and carriers to improve benefit delivery.

Report of the Joint Legislative Task Force on Innovations in Workers’ Compensation Insurance (1990)​

In 1992, a Blue Ribbon Commission was created to examine and recommend changes.

In January of 1993 Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC) was established.

In 1994, Oregon had the 32nd highest premium rate ranking in the country.

Partly in response to these decisions, the 1995 Legislature passed SB 369.

Also in 1997, a worker advocate program, created by the Board, was expanded by the Legislature.

In 1999, the Legislature passed HB 2830, which required Oregon OSHA to revise its method for scheduling workplace inspections and to notify certain employers of an increased likelihood of inspection.

Major contributing cause study (2000)​

The 2001 legislative session also saw the passage of SB 485.

Finally, in 2004, legislation was proposed and enacted to make the Board’s Executive Director a tie-breaking member of the Board and its Chair.

The Board mandated the electronic filing of First Reports beginning on July 1, 2005.

1, 2006, modified the standard for establishing or rescinding permanent total disability benefits.

The 2007 Legislature passed HB 2756, which expanded the authority of chiropractors, podiatrists, naturopaths, and physician assistants to act as attending physicians and authorize temporary disability and manage the worker’s return to work for up to 30 days.

Chapter 208, A Resolve to Appoint Members To and Establish Terms for the Workers’ Compensation Board, was enacted during the second session (2008) of the 123rd Legislature.

The first diagnoses by a physician must occur after July 1, 2009.

In 2014, the Legislature provided a means for employers to make an orderly exit from group self-insurance, by requiring a one-time vote to exit such coverage and, in doing so, limiting the future joint and several liabilities of group members.

On October 15, 2015, per LD 1119, the title "Hearing Officer" was changed to "Administrative Law Judge" to reflect the role and duties of the position.