Spencer Aldrich

Workers' Compensation is extremely complex and I've spent most of my career learning it, and practicing it, so that i can help you get the benefits you're entitled to. I do it with compassion, skill, and an understanding of both sides of the system.

For many years I worked on "defense", which means I represented employers and an insurance company. It really wasn't for me, though. In 2017, I "switched sides" and began helping injured workers, and feel it was the right decision. I went to law school to help people, and I'm proud to be able to do that everyday. After working with a great practice owned by a pair of excellent attorneys, I started my own practice in late 2021. In 2024, I grew the practice into a partnership with another amazing WC attorney.

When not practicing law, I like to shoot film photography, game, and enjoy the many animals my partner and I have (cats, dog, chickens, and honeybees). I moved to Oregon in 2009 and I love it. I grew up in the Midwest, and went to law school in southern California, but have really settled in Oregon. It's fantastic.

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Oregon

Oregon State Bar

ID Number: 092699

Since 2009

Co-Owner

Aldrich & Brunot, LLC

2024 - Current

Spencer Aldrich and Zachary Brunot are two highly skilled and experienced attorneys helping injured workers throughout Oregon.

Founder

Aldrich Law, LLC

2021 - 2024

Associate Attorney

Schoenfeld & Schoenfeld, P.C.

2017 - 2021

Field Counsel

Liberty Mutual Insurance

2014 - 2017

Paralegal Coordinator

Liberty Mutual Insurance

2011 - 2014

Assistant General Counsel

Advantage Point Learning

2010 - 2011

In-House Counsel

TreesNW

2010

Chapman University Fowler School of Law

J.D. (2009) | Law

Miami University of Ohio

B.A. (2005) | History & Political Science

With Honors

Best Workers Compensation Attorneys in Portland

Expertise.com

2023

Best Workers Compensation Attorneys in Beaverton

Expertise.com

2023

Oregon Trial Lawyers Association

Guardian

2021 - Current

Activities: OTLA's 1000+ attorney members and support staff represent injured consumers, patients, workers, employees and all Oregonians. OTLA provides many tools and services to help you help your clients. These include immediate access to hundreds of colleagues through the OTLA listservs, cutting-edge Continuing Legal Education seminars, advocacy work to preserve and enhance your clients’ rights at the state and federal levels, first-rate professional publications, networking opportunities and more.

Oregon State Bar - Workers' Comp Section

Executive Committee Member at Large

2020 - Current

Activities: Member of the governing body for the WC section of the State Bar. I'm the co-chair of the Going Forward subcommittee, and also on the Bench Bar subcommittee.

Multnomah County Bar Association

Member

2017 - Current

Oregon State Bar  # 092699

Member in Good Standing

2009 - Current

BIG WIN for Injured Workers; HB 4138

Aldrich Legal Blog

2022

Don't wait for the clinic to schedule your referral!

Aldrich Legal Blog

2022

MCO-h no!

Aldrich Legal Blog

2022

Effective and Ethical Communication in Workers' Compensation Matters, Oregon State Bar Association

2016

What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Workers' Compensation, Multnomah County Bar Association

2018

Continuing Education seminar designed to education non-WC attorneys about the WC system and how it may overlap with their practices.

Q. Can an employee be terminated for filing a false worker's comp claim?

July 8, 2025

A: Someone else answered from an employment law perspective, so I'll answer just to comment on the WC perspective. The WC claim (fake though it may be) still needs to be processed. The employer should involve their WC carrier ASAP. If what is alleged is true, the WC carrier will conduct an investigation and likely issue a claim denial to the worker. The worker can then appeal that denial which will put the matter in front of an ALJ. Evidence will be presented including the witnesses, medical reports, investigation findings, etc. and the ALJ will determine if the denial will stand or if the worker has met their burden of proving that they have a compensable claim.

Just because the employer has reason to believe the claim is made up will NOT get them off the hook for a failure to process the claim.

Also, in WC is possible to have a "combined condition" where a legit work injury (even if it's minor) combines with a preexisting, non-work-related injury and the result is a valid WC claim (subject to limitations). A minor work injury can absolutely worsen a preexisting condition such that the worker is entitled to WC benefits. It's a complex medical question that requires doctor evidence, but it can happen. So, the facts you present might seem bogus to an ER that doesn't fully understand WC, but it could still be a legit WC claim.

I am NOT an employment attorney, but I would think firing a worker under these circumstances is risky...at least while the WC claim is playing out. My understanding is that by invoking the WC system the worker falls under a protected class and cannot have a negative employment action taken against them because of that invocation. If I was the ER, i'd wait until the WC process was complete one way or another before taking action, and I'd absolutely pay to get the professional advice of a employer-sided employment atty. ... Read More

Q. Seeking advice on pursuing compensation for spouse's illness due to workplace toxins and epidural malpractice.

June 10, 2025

A: What a horrifying experience...so sorry for what you're going through. I can only speak to WC as that's what I know. From a WC perspective, one of the most important aspects of getting a claim accepted is the necessity that there be a medical link between the work exposure, and the medical condition. In a toxic exposure case, the doctor's need to be willing to testify that 50% or more of your husband's conditions or need for treatment was caused by the work exposure. Unfortunately, it sounds to me like that might not be possible. It doesn't sound like the docs know what's causing his issues. It could be work exposure, it could be sympathetic related to your delivery, it could be something else.

Most exposure cases are pretty straightforward: worker breathed XYZ chemicals and developed illnesses known to be associated with XYZ, and once they are removed from exposure to XYZ they start to improve. In your husband's case, the fact that he has continued to worsen even after exposure and so many different doctors aren't sure what's going on makes it very unlikely that a WC claim would be accepted. If a WC claim is made and denied, it would be difficult to prevail.

NOTE: please don't interpret this as actual legal advice as i'm just a voice on the internet answering a general question. My response is intended to give a basic explanation of how Oregon WC views these kinds of cases and to apply the few facts presents in a hypothetical situation. If you want a deeper analysis, consult with an Oregon WC attorney (not me because i publicly answered this question). ... Read More

Q. What to do if Previous employer didnt process workers comp claim and I have to pay the medical expenses?

January 11, 2023

A: Sound like you were a Cal resident working for a Cal employer at the time of the injury, so jurisdiction would likely be in California's WC system (not Oregon's). You might consider posting this question in the CA forum, but really you should call a CA WC attorney.

If this were an Oregon WC matter, i'd say you have options: a formal claim could still be made so you could get the bill paid (and whatever other benefits you might need). I'd assume CA has similar protections, but I don't practice there so i can't say for sure. Call a CA WC attorney and they'll likely be able to help you.

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