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. About 5 years ago 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.

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've loved it ever since. I grew up in the Midwest, and went to law school in southern California, but have really settled in Oregon. It's fantastic.

Workers' Compensation

Personal Injury

Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents

• Free Consultation
  All consultations are free.
• Contingent Fees

Oregon

Oregon State Bar

ID Number: 092699

Since 2009

Founder

Aldrich Law, LLC

2021 - Current

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

10.0 Rating

Justia Inc

2023

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

January 12, 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.

Q. My job says they require me to come in an hour early before my shift. But I'm not being paid for that time.

December 27, 2022

A: Your question is more related to employment law and wage/hour than it is WC, but it doesn't pass my (WC lawyer) smell-test. You should be paid for the time you work. That's it. My recollection is that there's some flexibility...like, come in early and leave early or work extra today and leave early tomorrow. However, simply requiring someone to work additional hours for no wage is concerning. I'd recommend you consult with BOLI and/or an employment attorney. I can't give a good answer to the "can they fire me" part, but, again, i'm pretty sure that "hey worker, please work extra...for free...and if you don't we'll fire you" is going to get them in trouble. Again, call an employment lawyer and consider a BOLI wage and hour complaint. Disclaimer: i'm not an employment attorney, i'm a workers' comp attorney.

Q. I got a large burn at work. The first aid kit did not contain what I needed. Can I press charges?

October 13, 2022

A: The simple answer to your question is "probably not." As your injury was on the job, your remedy is the Oregon WC system and that generally prevents you from being allowed to sue your employer for negligence (i.e. your harm caused by their breach of a duty to keep appropriately stocked med kits). Also, "pressing charges" generally implies a criminal action with the police which seems unlikely (but is outside my expertise). Maybe OSHA/DCBS could be involved, but that's also outside my expertise. From a WC perspective, if you sought professional medical care (ER, urgent care, etc.) you should be sure to notify your employer of the injury (if you haven't already) and make a WC claim. This will get the ball rolling on getting WC to pay the medical bills and potentially your lost wages if the doc took you off work or gave you restrictions that can't be accommodated. If you just treated yourself with OTC stuff from the drug store and were not taken off-work by a doctor, making a WC claim probably isn't worth your time.

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