In Ohio, employers must carry workers’ comp insurance for their full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. This “no fault” insurance program helps provide injured employees with timely financial support for their medical bills and lost wages.
If you were recently involved in a workplace accident and are new to the process, here is a quick guideline on how you can file your workers’ comp claim in Ohio:
Inform your employer
After your accident at work, you must report it to your employer. While an initial verbal report is acceptable, it is still beneficial to submit a written report of your workplace accident. This way, you can keep your dated report as additional evidence; displaying that you dealt with the manner proactively.
If your accident report is due to an occupational disease, you may use the date from when you first discovered your illness or when your doctor gave you a diagnosis. After receiving your report, your employer will give you your workers’ comp claim forms.
Seek medical attention
Before you go to the doctor, ask your employer if they have a certified list of physicians from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). You must choose one from that list and seek prompt medical care for your injury or illness.
Aside from your medical treatments and hospital bills, your workers’ comp can also pay for your surgery costs, medicines and/or lost wages due to a temporary or permanent disability.
Fill out and submit your claim form
While hiring a lawyer is not mandatory for filing your workers’ comp claim, they can provide you with valuable guidance into the whole process and help ensure that there are no errors in your completed forms.
If you have witness statements from your co-workers, you may include them in your file as supporting evidence for your case. Once all necessary paperwork has been submitted to the BWC, they will review the details of your claim.
Wait for a decision
The BWC will release a decision within 28 days. If your claim is approved, you will receive a notification that discusses your benefits and compensation. However, if you receive a denial letter, you can challenge their decision by filing an appeal.
When you understand how the workers’ comp processes work in Ohio, you can easily follow the legal timelines and ensure that you do not miss any key deadlines. This practice not only helps smoothen your claims process but also helps provide your mind with ease from financial worries.