When Can You Seek Workers’ Compensation for Back Pain in Ohio?

Back pain is among the most common workplace injuries. It is common in almost all occupations, from professional occupations in office environments to trade occupations that require workers to spend up to eight hours a day on their feet. Regardless of what you do for a living, if you are suffering from work-related back pain, you should speak with a Columbus workman’s comp lawyer about your legal rights—you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Covers Work-Related Back Pain in Ohio

In Ohio, workers’ compensation covers all types of work-related injuries. This includes work-related back pain. Whether your back started hurting after an accident or you have gradually developed lower back pain over time, you can file a claim for benefits as long as you meet Ohio’s basic eligibility requirements:

• You are an employee (not an independent contractor)
• Your back pain arose in the course of your employment
• It has been less than a year since your back pain began (in most cases)

But, it isn’t enough simply to be eligible. Instead, you must be able to prove that you qualify to receive benefits from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Proving eligibility can be difficult in all circumstances, but it can be especially difficult when seeking benefits for back pain.

Common Issues with Workers’ Compensation Claims for Back Pain

Injured employees in Ohio tend to run into a couple of issues in particular when seeking workers’ compensation benefits for back pain:

1. Proving that Back Pain is Work-Related

Back pain can result from a variety of different causes—including causes that are not work-related. As a result, when filing for benefits with the BWC, workers will often run into issues related to proving the cause of their pain. This makes documentation extremely important, and employees need to work with their lawyers to ensure that they have the evidence they need to secure benefits.

2. Proving that You Filed Your Claim on Time

When seeking benefits for back pain that has developed over time, workers will often face challenges with regard to proving that they filed their claims on time as well.

As mentioned above, the deadline for seeking workers’ compensation benefits in Ohio is one year from the date of injury (in most cases). When seeking benefits for back pain that onset gradually, questions can arise as to when this one-year eligibility period expires. With this in mind, if you are dealing with chronic back pain at work, you should seek treatment for your condition (if you haven’t already), and you should consult with a Columbus workman’s comp lawyer promptly.

Talk to a Columbus Workman’s Comp Lawyer about Your Back Pain

Are you suffering from work-related back pain? If so, we encourage you to contact us to discuss filing for workers’ compensation benefits. To schedule a free and confidential consultation with a Columbus workman’s comp lawyer at Malek & Malek Law Firm, call 888-444-7440 or request an appointment online today.