Ohio law requires that employers have workers’ compensation coverage in case their employees are injured on the job. When an injury occurs on the job, a worker, an employer or a doctor can file a workers’ compensation claim directly with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Dworken & Bernstein also recommends that you file an incident report with your employer immediately after an injury.
Although workers’ compensation coverage is required for employers, you should still pursue a claim even if you know your employer does not have coverage. Ohio law provides coverage for employees under the workers’ compensation system even if the employer does not have coverage or fails to pay its premium.
There are several different types of workplace injuries. An acute injury occurs when employee notices an injury soon after a traumatic event. As an example, a nurse may lift a patient and feel immediate back pain. Another type of injury is an “occupational disease,” which is an injury due to a work-related exposure that occurs over time. An example of this is a data entry clerk who types all day for several years and develops carpal tunnel syndrome. With any type of injury, workers’ compensation requires that a doctor relate the medical condition to the incident or exposure at work. Therefore, seeking medical attention immediately after your injury and reporting the injury and your medical history to a doctor is crucial.
When you are injured on the job, it can be overwhelming. Most workers are not aware of how the workers’ compensation system works and will require assistance from an experienced attorney to guide them through the process. Not only does an injured worker have to complete workers’ compensation forms and sometimes attend hearings, but they also need to interact with their employer after the injury, which can be intimidating.
Remember, there are strict time limits for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you have been injured at work or have questions about whether a workplace exposure may be considered a workers’ compensation claim, contact Dworken & Bernstein to speak directly with an attorney.
