State Accident Insurance Fund Corp. v. Mathews

State Accident Insurance Fund Corporation (SAIF) appeals from a determination by the Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) affirming the referee’s order requiring SAIF to pay forthwith certain medical services expenses incurred by claimant. The question is whether an insurer may withhold payment for medical services expenses pending disposition on appeal. The answer depends on whether ORS 656.313, as amended by Oregon Laws 1979, chapter 673, section l, 1 applies to a case in which the compensable injury arose before the effective date of the amendment.

Claimant sustained a compensable injury in…