Oregon comp death benefits for children set to increase

Children of deceased workers for all fatal claims in Oregon are set to see an increase in death benefits starting in 2018, the state Workers’ Compensation Division announced Friday.

H.B. 2338, signed by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in May, includes language that states all benefits to children up to 19 years old currently being paid at the 10% level will increase to the 25% level. The increase applies to benefits that accrue on or after Jan. 1, 2018. Additionally, the benefit paid to a surviving spouse will no longer count toward the per-claim maximum, the division said in a statement.

The new law also states that education benefits for up to 48 months are available to an eligible child between the ages of 19 and 26 while completing secondary education, obtaining a general educational development certificate or attending a community college, college, university, vocational program or technical training program at least half-time. The insurer or self-insured employer must subtract any months of benefits paid to a child age 19 or older before Jan. 1, 2018, from the 48-month total, according to the statement.