Ohio BWC Claims Process: A Step-By-Step Guide for Injured Workers

For most employees in Ohio, seeking benefits after an on-the-job injury involves filing a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Filing a successful claim requires a clear understanding of what to expect. From submitting a First Report of Injury (FROI) to responding to requests for additional documentation, injured employees must protect themselves at every step.  

If you’ve been injured on the job in Ohio, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Most employees in Ohio are eligible to receive benefits when they suffer on-the-job injuries; in most cases, seeking benefits involves filing a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Injured workers can hire a Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer to help them file a claim with the Ohio BWC at no out-of-pocket cost.

When seeking workers’ compensation benefits for an on-the-job injury, it is important to know what to expect during the process. This will help you do what you need to do on time and avoid mistakes that could prevent you from receiving the full benefits you deserve.

How Do You File a Workers’ Compensation Claim with the Ohio BWC?

Were you injured on the job in Ohio? If so, here is a step-by-step guide to seeking benefits from the Ohio BWC:

1. Report Your Injury to Your Employer

After suffering an on-the-job injury, your first step should be to report it to your employer (unless you need emergency medical care, in which case you should report it as soon as possible). This helps document the location and timing of your injury, which will matter later in the process.

2. Seek Medical Treatment for Your Injury

With an Ohio BWC workers’ compensation claim, you may see any doctor of your choosing for your first visit. Seek treatment promptly, and be sure to tell your doctor you are seeking treatment for a work-related injury.

3. File a First Report of Injury (FROI) if Necessary

If you take the steps we just discussed, your employer or your healthcare provider may file a claim with the Ohio BWC. If they do, you do not need to file a claim yourself. However, if neither your employer nor your healthcare provider files a claim, then you will need to file a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Ohio BWC.

4. Continue Treatment with an Approved Medical Provider

Continuing with your medical treatment is extremely important when you are seeking benefits for a work-related injury. After your first visit, you must see a healthcare provider pre-approved by the Ohio BWC. If you don’t see an approved provider, your medical bills won’t be covered.

5. Submit Documentation of Your Medical Needs and Lost Income

To seek workers’ compensation benefits, you’ll need various forms of documentation. Depending on the severity of your injury and other factors, you may need to submit some (or all) of the following:

• Medical Records Related to Your Injury – Your medical records will be key evidence of your injury and its impacts on your ability to work.
• Physician’s Report of Work Ability – If you will need time off from work (or will be limited in your ability to work), you will need to submit a Physician’s Report of Work Ability.
• Request for Temporary Total Compensation – If you will miss seven or more days from work, you will also need to submit a Request for Temporary Total Compensation.
• Injured Worker Earning Statement – An Injured Worker Earning Statement documents your most recent hourly wage or salary, which is used to calculate your disability benefits.
• Employer Report of Employee Earnings – If you have been with your current employer for less than a year, you may also need to submit an Employer Report of Employee Earnings.

Failing to submit any necessary documentation to the Ohio BWC could result in your claim being denied. If you hire an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer, your lawyer can help ensure you submit everything required.

6. Work with the Ohio BWC During Its Investigation

The Ohio BWC investigates all workers’ compensation claims. As an injured worker, you should play a proactive role in the investigative process. If you hire an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer, your lawyer can help here as well—communicating with the Ohio BWC on your behalf while you focus on recovery.

7. Work with Your Lawyer to Assess Your Long-Term Financial Needs

If your injury prevents you from working (or limits your ability to work), it’s important to understand your long-term financial needs. You do not want to leave benefits on the table. Once you know how much you are entitled to recover, then you can make informed decisions about resolving your claim.

8. Seek a Lump Sum Settlement that Covers Your Losses

For many workers, the best-case scenario is resolving their claim through a lump sum settlement. This results in a one-time payment instead of ongoing benefit checks in the mail.  If a lump-sum settlement makes sense for you, your lawyer can negotiate with the Ohio BWC on your behalf.

9. Make Informed Decisions and Protect Your Legal Rights

Even though the Ohio BWC is a government agency, injured workers still need to protect their legal rights during the claims process. Your lawyer can help you make informed decisions focused on protecting your legal rights—including whether to accept a lump-sum settlement.

10. File an Appeal if Necessary

While hiring an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer can greatly improve your chances of filing a successful claim, there are no guarantees. With that in mind, be prepared to file an appeal if necessary. If you need to file an appeal, your lawyer can start the process promptly.

FAQs: Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim with the Ohio BWC

Am I entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if I got injured on the job in Ohio?

Most employees in Ohio are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when they get injured on the job. A Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer at our firm can determine your eligibility, and we can file a claim with the Ohio BWC on your behalf if warranted.

How do I obtain workers’ compensation benefits from the Ohio BWC?

Obtaining workers’ compensation benefits from the Ohio BWC is a multi-step process, and injured workers must protect their legal rights at every step. Injured workers must submit several forms of documentation, and they must ensure they are seeking the full benefits to which they are legally entitled. These are all important reasons to hire an experienced lawyer to represent you.

If I reported my injury to my employer, do I still need to file a First Report of Injury (FROI)?

Reporting your injury to your employer does not preserve your ability to claim workers’ compensation benefits in Ohio. If your employer (or your healthcare provider) does not file a claim with the Ohio BWC, you will still need to file a First Report of Injury (FROI) before the deadline expires.

How We Help Injured Workers in Ohio

At Malek & Malek Law Firm, we help injured workers in Ohio seek the workers’ compensation benefits they deserve. We also help injured workers file personal injury claims when warranted. If you have been injured on the job, our lawyers can:

• Fully assess your legal rights and determine what claim (or claims) you are eligible to file
• Conduct an investigation and preserve the evidence that will be needed to seek compensation
• Make sure your workers’ compensation claim is properly filed with the Ohio BWC
• Work alongside the Ohio BWC during its investigation and negotiate for a lump sum settlement
• Take any other legal steps that are necessary to recover the compensation you deserve

To ensure that we have time to protect your legal rights, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. It costs nothing to speak with a lawyer at our firm about your situation, and we handle all work-related injury cases at no out-of-pocket cost to our clients.

Discuss Your Claim with a Columbus Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for Free

Do you need to know more about filing a workers’ compensation claim with the Ohio BWC? If so, our lawyers can provide all of the information you need to determine your next steps. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible, call us at 888-444-7440 and tell us how we can reach you online today.