People who are injured at work often need medical care to treat the injury. Those injured workers should file for workers’ compensation benefits, which are administered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. In some cases, the program is administered by the employer if they’ve chosen to self-insure.
Understanding what to expect if you have to file for workers’ compensation may help if you’re going through this type of situation.
What does workers’ compensation do?
Workers’ compensation provides benefits to workers who are injured or become ill because of work-related reasons. It applies to most workers from the first day of their employment, and it is completely separate from health insurance. It covers medical care, including doctor’s visits, emergency department visits, prescriptions, imaging, testing, and therapy. The key point is that the benefits must be due to something that’s related to work.
Does workers’ compensation depend on fault?
Fault doesn’t play a role in workers’ compensation benefits; however, the injury or illness must not be due to an intentional act by the victim. Benefits are typically available when the incident was due to something unforeseeable, an accident, or a mistake.
Are wages replaced as part of the benefits?
Partial wage replacement benefits are possible if a worker isn’t able to return to work right away. This can cover your working wage loss if you have to take a pay cut or cut of hours, but it can also compensate you if you can’t find a job after you’re related to work. These are known as working wage loss and non-working wage loss, respectively.
What else should you know about workers’ compensation in Ohio?
Workers’ compensation covers the cost of medical care and sometimes wage replacement, but it doesn’t provide job security. It also won’t cover any medical expenses that aren’t related to the on-the-job injury or illness.
It’s possible that an injured employee may be denied workers’ compensation benefit, but you can appeal if that occurs in your case. These situations can be challenging, so it may be best to work with someone who understands how these cases work.