Do I File for Workers’ Comp with My Employer or the Ohio BWC?

You got hurt at work. Your injury requires medical treatment, and you are going to be out of work for a period of time. So, you need to know: How do you file for workers’ compensation? Also, should you hire a Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer to represent you?

Injured Workers Must File with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

In Ohio, injured workers are required to file with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The Ohio BWC administers the state’s workers’ compensation system—unlike other states in which employees file with their employers directly.

However, while you must file your workers’ compensation claim with the Ohio BWC, it is still important that you report your injury to your employer. This provides a record of when you got injured; and, if you provide enough details, it will provide a record of how you got injured as well.

In some cases, once you report your injury, your employer may file a claim with the Ohio BWC for you. However, you should not assume that this will happen. It is up to you to make sure your claim gets filed on time; and, if your employer does not file a claim, it will be up to you to do so.

If you have already notified your employer of your injury and have not yet filed a claim with the Ohio BWC, you can contact the Ohio BWC to determine if a claim has been filed. You can also contact us, and one of our Columbus workers’ compensation lawyers will be happy to contact the Ohio BWC for you.

Do You Need to Hire a Columbus Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

Even though the Ohio BWC processes workers’ compensation claims and workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system, it is still important to hire a lawyer if you have been injured on the job. Here are just some of the reasons why:

• When filing for workers’ compensation, you need to make sure you calculate your disability benefits correctly.
• You also need to make sure you receive the full medical coverage to which you are legally entitled—and that you are not cleared to return to work too soon.
• Even though workers’ compensation is a “no-fault” system, your claim could still be denied. Your lawyer can help make sure the Ohio BWC does not wrongly deny your claim.
• If you have a pre-existing condition, or if there are questions about how or where you got injured, these types of issues could make it difficult to secure benefits on your own.
• Filing for workers’ compensation might not be your only option. If you have a personal injury claim, your lawyer can help you seek additional compensation.

Speak with a Columbus Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Free

Do you have questions about filing for workers’ compensation in Ohio? If so, we encourage you to get in touch. To speak with an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer for free, call 888-444-7440 or contact us online now.