When should you hire a Columbus workers’ compensation attorney? If you have been injured on the job in Ohio and have questions about hiring an attorney, you are not alone. Each year, more than 100,000 people report job-related injuries in Ohio—and this figure only accounts for workers who report their injuries to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

Dealing with a job-related injury isn’t easy. It also isn’t cheap. Medical care has become incredibly expensive, and if you are unable to work as a result of your injury—even for just a week or two—this will make your injury much more expensive.

A Columbus workers’ compensation attorney can help. So, when is the right time to contact an attorney about your claim?

You Should Hire a Columbus Workers’ Compensation Attorney as Soon as You Get Injured on the Job

The short answer is that you should hire an attorney as soon as you get injured on the job. While many people try to file a workers’ compensation claim on their own before seeking help, this often proves to be a costly mistake. Here’s why:

1. You Need to Report Your Injury Promptly

To protect your legal rights, you need to report your injury to your employer promptly. But, when doing so, you must also be very careful. Many employers dispute their employees’ claims for benefits, and if you omit important information from your injury report, say something you shouldn’t, or mistakenly provide information that isn’t true, these mistakes could all jeopardize your claim for benefits. Your attorney can help ensure that you provide the right information to your employer, and if you’ve made any mistakes, your attorney can assist with addressing these mistakes before they lead to a denial of benefits.

2. You Need to Thoroughly Document the Cause of Your Injury

To file a successful workers’ compensation claim, you need proof that you suffered your injury on the job. This means that you need to thoroughly document the cause of your injury. In addition to helping you report your injury to your employer, your attorney can also conduct an investigation focused on making sure you have all of the information you need to file a successful claim for benefits.

3. You Need to Determine How and Where to File Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

When you have a workers’ compensation claim, filing your claim promptly is important for ensuring that you receive benefits as soon as possible. But you also need to make sure you file your claim in the right place.

Most employers in Ohio participate in the state-run workers’ compensation system. As a result, most employees must file their workers’ compensation claims with the Ohio BWC. But, some employers “self-insure” for workers’ compensation. If your employer is self-insured, you must file your claim with your employer, and you must follow your employer’s rules and procedures for seeking the benefits you deserve. Not only can your attorney determine where you need to file your claim, but your attorney can also file your claim on your behalf.

4. Filing for Workers’ Compensation Might Not Be Your Only Option

Another reason why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after suffering a job-related injury is that filing for workers’ compensation might not be your only option. Depending on how you got injured and who (or what company) was responsible, you may also have a personal injury claim. Common personal injury claims include:

• Claims against contractors and subcontractors (for negligence on the job site)
• Premises liability claims (for slips, falls and other premises-related accidents)
• Product liability claims (for injuries resulting from tool and equipment malfunctions)

If you have a personal injury claim, you can recover losses that aren’t covered under workers’ compensation. These include your full loss of income and your pain and suffering. But, just like filing for workers’ compensation, filing a personal injury claim requires clear evidence and a comprehensive understanding of your legal rights. This means that you need to put an experienced attorney on your side right away.

5. Unnecessary Delays Can Jeopardize Your Legal Rights

From failing to gather necessary evidence to waiting too long to file a claim, unnecessary delays can jeopardize your legal rights after a job-related injury. At the same time, however, you need to prioritize your health since ignoring your doctor’s medical advice can create problems for your claim (or claims) as well. By hiring an attorney promptly, you can feel confident that you are doing everything necessary to protect your legal rights and your health, and you can rely on your attorney to help you make informed decisions throughout the recovery process.

What You Should Know About Hiring a Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Ohio

As you can see, timing is extremely important when you’ve been injured on the job. While there are lots of steps you need to take, one of the most important steps—by far—is talking to an attorney as soon as possible. With this in mind, here is what you should know about hiring a workers’ compensation attorney in Ohio:

• Hiring a workers’ compensation attorney should cost you nothing out of pocket. You only pay if you win, and attorneys’ fees in workers’ compensation cases are capped under Ohio law.
• You don’t need to know if you have a claim when you contact a workers’ compensation attorney. One of the primary purposes of your free initial consultation is to determine which claim (or claims) you can file—if any.
• The sooner you hire a workers’ compensation attorney, the more your attorney can do to help. While an attorney will be able to help you correct some types of mistakes (if necessary), some mistakes cannot be undone.

Speak with a Columbus Workers’ Compensation Attorney for Free

Were you injured on the job in Ohio? If so, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away for a free, no-obligation consultation. To speak with an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation attorney at Malek & Malek Law Firm as soon as possible, call 888-444-7440 or tell us how we can reach you online now.