Salem — The Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation saved small businesses $1,267,862 in 2024 by helping constituents with audit and compliance issues and finding more affordable coverage.
“Small businesses provide opportunities for success for so many and give our neighborhoods the vibrancy that makes Oregon so special,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “The Small Business Ombudsman makes it easier to open and operate a business, and when our small businesses succeed, the whole state benefits.”
The Small Business Ombudsman is the state office that serves as an independent advocate for workers’ compensation questions, complaints, and disputes.
“Every dollar that we are able to save small businesses is a dollar they can use to help their business thrive, help their employees, and feed back into our local economy,” said Small Business Ombudsman Caitlin Breitbach. “We are here to help businesses so they don’t have to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone.”
The office can help small businesses by:
- Explaining workers’ compensation coverage requirements and what type of coverage best suits businesses’ needs.
- Providing advice on how to shop for workers’ compensation insurance.
- Helping businesses that are in dispute with their insurance company, and helping them navigate through the appeal processes that are available.
- Conducting outreach to businesses and their professional advisers to educate them about their rights and responsibilities under the workers’ compensation laws.
For more information, call Breitbach at 503-329-4260, email wc.advocate@dcbs.oregon.gov, or go to oregon.gov/dcbs/sbo.
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About the Small Business Ombudsman: The Office of the Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation is the state office that serves as an independent advocate for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the professional advisers who serve them. The office is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit oregon.gov/dcbs/sbo
