If you were injured at work in Ohio, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your medical expenses, lost income, and more. A Cincinnati workers’ compensation lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help. Call us for a free consultation today.
In this Article
What Is Ohio’s Workers’ Compensation System?
Ohio law provides benefits to employees with serious injuries or illnesses caused by a workplace accident, regardless of who was at fault. 1099 independent contractors are considered self-employed and are not eligible.
The state’s system is uniquely split between two different agencies:
- The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) oversees the administration of the system, processes initial applications, collects premiums, and pays out approved medical and wage benefits.
- The Industrial Commission (IC) of Ohio is an independent agency that handles all disputes, hearings, and appeals when an injured worker or an employer disagrees with a BWC decision.
What Coverage Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Provide?
Ohio’s workers’ compensation benefits provide medical, rehabilitation, and wage replacement for employees injured on the job. Here are a few workers’ comp benefits it offers to injured employees:
- Medical benefits: necessary medical costs for work-related injuries (including physical therapy)
- Income benefits: two-thirds of the average weekly pay if you’re unable to work
- Rehabilitation benefits: to help injured workers return to work
- Disability benefits: Permanent Total Disability (PTD) provides lifelong wage replacement payments if a severe injury permanently prevents you from performing any type of sustained, gainful employment
- Death benefits: provide financial support to dependents if workers die due to workplace accidents, including funeral expenses
Why Can Workers’ Compensation Cases Be Denied?
The Ohio BWC or a self-insured employer may deny your claim for late reporting, injuries not related to work, preexisting conditions, lacking a clear medical diagnosis from a doctor, or missed deadlines.
If denied, you have a strict 14-day window to appeal the decision. A Cincinnati workers’ compensation attorney can file your IC-12 Appeal and represent you at your Ohio IC dispute hearings to fight for your medical and wage benefits.
Do I Need a Cincinnati Workers’ Comp Attorney?
If you’ve been injured at work, our attorneys are here to protect your rights. We ensure your medical bills are covered and payments continue without disruption. When disputes with insurance adjusters arise, or for workers’ compensation claims involving third parties, our Cincinnati lawyers will handle the workers’ compensation process while you focus on recovery.
What Is a Third-Party Lawsuit in a Workers’ Compensation Case?
If your workplace injury was caused by a third party, you may be able to file a separate lawsuit to recover damages like pain and suffering, which aren’t usually covered by workers’ comp. Ohio’s comparative negligence rule means you can still get compensation even if you are partially at fault, as long as it’s 50% or less.
For example, you might have a personal injury claim if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident by a negligent driver while you were on the job. Our experienced attorneys can help you seek financial recovery by filing a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
Most Common Workplace Injuries
Workplace injuries can range from repetitive strain injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome) and slips, trips, and falls to more severe conditions such as back injuries, neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal cord injuries, causing temporary total disability or permanent partial disability.
Occupational illnesses can also arise from exposure to harmful substances.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident in Cincinnati, OH
If you suffered an on-the-job injury, follow these steps to protect your workers’ comp case:
- File a First Report of Injury (FROI) form with the BWC.
- Notify your employer right away—the BWC must be notified within one year.
- See a BWC-certified doctor for medical care, even for minor injuries.
- Document everything—photos, witness statements, and medical records from doctor visits.
- Know your rights. Ohio’s workers’ comp is no-fault, so medical bills and lost wages may be covered even if you caused the accident.
- Consider a third-party claim if a negligent third party was involved.
- Speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to help you with a successful workers’ comp claim or settlement offer.
Contact Our Experienced Cincinnati Attorneys Today
If workers suffer an occupational disease or equipment accidents, and the injury occurred in Hamilton County or elsewhere in Southwest Ohio, contact us. A highly rated workers’ compensation lawyer in Cincinnati can provide personalized guidance to answer questions about your workers’ comp claim, medical equipment costs, or the appeals process.
We know Ohio workers’ compensation law and how to navigate the legal system. An experienced attorney can provide legal representation to help you pursue compensation while you seek medical treatment.
Our Law Firm Offers Free Case Evaluations
Call our Cincinnati law firm today for a free initial consultation; our Cincinnati workers’ compensation lawyers will outline the legal process, look over medical evidence, and discuss whether you have a valid claim. We work on a contingency basis, so our clients don’t pay unless we recover compensation.