Is It Too Late to File for Workers’ Compensation in Ohio if I Got Injured in 2021?
If you got injured at work in 2021, can you still file a workers’ compensation claim in 2022? The short answer is, “It depends.” While you might still be able to file a claim, you also might not. Also, if you are still able to file a claim, you could be quickly running out of time. Our Columbus workman’s comp lawyers explain:
In Ohio, Injured Employees Have One Year to File for Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Like all states, Ohio has a statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims. This is a law that limits how long employees have to file a claim after they suffer an injury on the job. Ohio’s statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims states that an injured employee’s claim will be “forever barred” unless the employee files a claim within one year.
This one-year “limitations period” runs from the date of the injury. So, let’s say you slipped and fell when you returned to work on January 2, 2021. Under Ohio’s statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims, you would need to file before January 2, 2022. But, if you got injured before heading home on New Year’s Eve, you would have until December 30, 2022 to file your claim for benefits.
There is no wiggle room in Ohio’s statute of limitations. If you miss the deadline to file your claim by even a single day, you will not be able to collect benefits for your job-related injury. As a result, it is extremely important to make sure you file your claim on time.
With this in mind, even if you still have several weeks or months to file your claim in 2022, you should not wait any longer than necessary. In fact, we recommend that you speak with a Columbus workman’s comp lawyer right away. While you have the right to file a claim up to a year from the date you got injured, unnecessary delays can make it difficult—if not impossible—to collect the benefits you deserve.
What Is Considered the “Date of Injury?”
While the date of injury will be obvious in some cases, it won’t be so obvious in others. For example, while most workers will know when they suffer injuries in a fall or job-related vehicle collision, it can be more difficult to discern the “date of injury” for an ailment caused by repetitive stress.
If you suffered a job-related injury or started experiencing pain sometime in 2021 but don’t know exactly when, you should schedule a free consultation promptly. Your lawyer will be able to determine if you still have time to file; and, if you do, your lawyer can file your claim on your behalf.
Speak with a Columbus Workman’s Comp Lawyer for Free
Do you have questions about filing a workers’ compensation claim in 2022? If so, we encourage you to get in touch. Call 888-444-7440 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.