Introduction
Every attorney-client relationship at Aldrich & Brunot, LLC is memorialized in a written retainer agreement signed by both parties before work begins, a practice that signals how the firm approaches professional responsibility and client communication from the first interaction. Based in Portland, Oregon at 22 NW 23rd Place, Suite 203, attorneys Spencer Aldrich and Zachary Brunot both admitted to practice in Oregon bring a focused practice in workers’ compensation, construction accidents, auto accidents, and personal injury to clients in the Portland area and beyond. The firm can be reached at 503-536-1737 and maintains a fax line at 503-462-1838.
The written retainer requirement is one expression of a broader commitment to formal accountability. Aldrich & Brunot also has its website content reviewed by independent ethics experts and adheres strictly to Oregon’s Code of Professional Responsibility. These are not generic claims about commitment to clients. They are structural practices that create verifiable standards of professional conduct.
Practice Areas
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is a central practice area at Aldrich & Brunot, and the firm’s investment in client education reflects how seriously it takes this area. The website includes a workers’ compensation dictionary of common terms, a glossary of common workers’ compensation acronyms, a FAQ section, and a laws and resources section. Injured workers who have never interacted with the workers’ compensation system are frequently confused by the terminology, the procedural requirements, and the roles of the various parties involved. The firm provides resources that reduce that confusion.
Oregon workers’ compensation provides benefits for medical treatment and wage replacement when an employee sustains a work-related injury or illness. Claims must be filed promptly, and the employer’s insurer has the right to accept or deny the claim. When a claim is denied or benefits are inadequate, the injured worker has the right to contest the determination. Aldrich & Brunot represents injured workers at these contested proceedings and through the hearings process.
The workers’ compensation system involves specific deadlines and procedural requirements that can affect the outcome of a claim. Understanding what must be done and when, and what rights the injured worker has at each stage, is essential. The firm guides clients through this process with the educational resources and direct representation needed to protect their interests.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites generate a disproportionate share of serious workplace injuries. Falls from heights, struck-by incidents, caught-in or caught-between accidents, and electrocution are the leading causes of construction fatalities under OSHA’s “Fatal Four” classification. Oregon OSHA regulations impose specific requirements on employers and contractors operating construction sites, and violations of those requirements create both workers’ compensation liability and, in many cases, third-party civil liability.
Third-party claims are particularly important in construction accident cases because workers’ compensation benefits are limited by statute, while civil tort claims allow recovery for the full range of economic and non-economic damages. When a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or other third party contributed to the conditions that caused the injury, a civil claim against that party can significantly increase the total recovery.
Aldrich & Brunot investigates construction accidents thoroughly to identify all potentially liable parties and to determine whether third-party civil claims are available in addition to workers’ compensation benefits.
Auto Accidents
Oregon is a fault-based state for auto accident claims, with a modified comparative fault rule that reduces recovery proportionally for plaintiffs who are partially at fault and bars recovery entirely for plaintiffs who are more than 50% responsible for the accident. Oregon also requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which provides first-party benefits for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault.
The firm handles auto accident claims involving standard passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrian knockdowns. Documentation of the accident scene, vehicle damage, medical treatment, and the progression of the injury over time are all components of building a case that recovers full compensation.
Personal Injury
The personal injury practice at Aldrich & Brunot extends beyond auto and construction accidents to include the broader range of incidents that cause serious harm to individuals in the Portland area. Premises liability claims, product liability cases, and other negligence-based injury claims are handled within this practice area.
Oregon’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury. Missing this deadline bars the claim, making early consultation with an attorney important for anyone who has suffered a serious injury.
Consulting Services
Aldrich & Brunot offers consulting services as a distinct service category. The specific scope of consulting available is discussed during an initial consultation with the firm.
Attorney Profiles
Spencer Aldrich
Spencer Aldrich is admitted to practice law in Oregon and is a founding partner of Aldrich & Brunot, LLC. His practice focuses on the firm’s core areas of workers’ compensation, construction accidents, auto accidents, and personal injury.
Zachary Brunot
Zachary Brunot is admitted to practice law in Oregon and is a founding partner of the firm. His work, alongside Spencer Aldrich, covers the same range of practice areas with the same emphasis on formal professional standards and client education.
Scholarship Program
Aldrich & Brunot maintains a scholarship program, reflecting a commitment to the community beyond the immediate practice of law. Information about the scholarship and its application process is available through the firm.
Location and Service Area
Aldrich & Brunot, LLC is located at 22 NW 23rd Place, Suite 203, Portland, OR 97210. Phone: 503-536-1737. Fax: 503-462-1838. The firm serves Portland, Oregon and the surrounding area.
Client Focus
Injured workers and accident victims in the Portland area who want an attorney relationship grounded in clear, documented professional standards will find that Aldrich & Brunot’s approach aligns with those expectations. The written retainer requirement, independent ethics review of website content, strict adherence to Oregon’s Code of Professional Responsibility, and the extensive educational resources the firm provides for workers’ compensation clients reflect an operation that takes its obligations seriously.
The scholarship program adds another dimension: this is a firm that is invested in the community it serves, not merely in the cases it handles.
FAQ
What is the significance of having website content reviewed by independent ethics experts?
Oregon’s Code of Professional Responsibility imposes specific requirements on attorney advertising, including rules about claims of past results, comparative quality claims, and the accuracy of representations about the firm’s services. Having website content independently reviewed ensures that what the firm publishes meets these standards, which is a form of accountability that benefits both the profession and the public.
What is the difference between workers’ compensation benefits and a third-party civil claim in a construction accident?
Workers’ compensation provides limited statutory benefits: medical treatment and a percentage of lost wages. It bars the injured worker from suing their employer directly. However, it does not bar claims against third parties who are not the injured worker’s employer, such as subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, and property owners. A third-party civil claim can recover the full range of economic and non-economic damages without the statutory caps that apply in the workers’ compensation system. Identifying whether a third-party claim exists is one of the first analytical tasks in any construction accident case.
What are the most important steps to take immediately after a workplace injury in Oregon?
Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible. Oregon requires prompt reporting, and delays can complicate the claim. Seek medical treatment through an authorized treating physician. Document your symptoms and treatment from the beginning. Contact an attorney before providing recorded statements or signing any documentation presented by the employer’s insurer.
What does the workers’ compensation dictionary and acronym glossary on the firm’s website include?
The glossary and dictionary provide definitions of the terms and abbreviations that appear in workers’ compensation proceedings, including references to the Workers’ Compensation Board, claim terminology, benefit categories, and procedural designations. These resources are available to anyone who visits the firm’s website and are designed to help injured workers understand what is happening in their case.
Does Aldrich & Brunot handle cases outside Portland?
The firm serves Portland and the surrounding area. Specific questions about geographic coverage can be addressed by contacting the firm at 503-536-1737.
Closing
Aldrich & Brunot, LLC is a Portland-based personal injury and workers’ compensation firm that has built its practice around formal accountability, client education, and community investment. Written retainer agreements, independent ethics review, a robust online educational resource library for workers’ compensation clients, and a scholarship program are the distinguishing features of this practice. Spencer Aldrich and Zachary Brunot bring that same attention to their direct representation of injured workers and accident victims throughout the Portland area. Contact the firm at 503-536-1737 or visit the office at 22 NW 23rd Place, Suite 203, Portland, OR 97210.
Website: aldrichbrunot.com