Ohio Workers Compensation Lawyer
GB Law’s experienced lawyers provide legal help to injured and disabled workers from any industry throughout Ohio.
We know how important income is after you’ve been injured at work. Whether you were injured in an office, on a construction site, in a company car, operating heavy machinery, or while unloading a delivery truck, we are committed to protecting your rights and obtaining workers compensation benefits on your behalf.
The process of filing a claim involves strict procedures and firm deadlines, and navigating insurance carrier obstacles where a simple mistake could cost you thousands of dollars.
Our law firm can help with your entire workers compensation process, from the initial application to an appeal, so you can get the compensation you deserve.
We represent workers compensation cases before the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and the Industrial Commission of Ohio.
Fill out our online contact form or call 614-222-4444 for a free case review.
What is Workers Compensation?
When you have suffered a back injury, neck injury, or other work injuries that limit your ability to do your job or leave you unable to work, you are faced with legal challenges, in addition to the physical and financial aspects of a work-related injury.
Workers compensation benefits can provide much-needed medical benefits and compensation for lost wages.
This coverage provides injured workers with compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and disability.
Do I Need a Workers Compensation Lawyer for a Workers Compensation Case?
The process of obtaining workers compensation benefits can be challenging and time-consuming.
Without the help of an experienced Ohio workers compensation lawyer, many initial claims for benefits are denied.
We encourage you to seek help from an experienced workers compensation attorney as soon as possible. We believe it is important that, as your legal advocates, we become actively engaged in your workers comp claim as soon as possible.
This can ensure rules, regulations, and time limits are complied with.
Our law firm can provide experienced help at all stages of your work injury claim in order to ensure you receive proper compensation for your on-the-job injury.
Contact GB Law today to schedule a free consultation.
Can You Sue Your Ohio Employer for a Workplace Injury?
Generally, an employee cannot file a lawsuit against an employer because the Ohio Constitution prohibits an employee from filing a lawsuit against their employer except in very certain very rare situations. One very important exception to this rule is Exceptions to this would be if your employer failed to keep a workers comp insurance policy.
In most cases, if your employer has workers compensation insurance, you will not be able to sue them. You will instead go through the workers compensation system, which provides fast payment.
In some cases, you may be able to bring a third-party claim if another party contributed to your injuries, such as another driver in a car accident, or the manufacturer of a dangerous product that you used on the job.
Practice Areas
We are experienced in handling workers compensation claims on behalf of disabled and injured workers who have been injured on the job in:
- Construction accidents
- Warehouse accidents
- Manufacturing accidents
- Loading dock accidents
- Work-related car accidents
- Office incidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Other on-the-job accidents
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Process
If you’ve been hurt on the job, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is the state agency that decides whether your medical bills and lost wages get covered. We know the process can feel confusing when you’re also trying to recover physically. Here’s what typically happens, step by step.
Report the Injury Right Away
Tell your employer as soon as the injury happens, ideally in writing. This starts the paper trail the BWC will rely on later. While Ohio law doesn’t have a deadline for reporting the injury to your employer, delaying the report can negatively affect your claim.
See a BWC-Certified Medical Provider for Treatment
You must receive treatment from a BWC-certified physician. Your medical provider will document your injury and submit medical records that strengthen your claim.
File Your Claim with the BWC
Either you or your employer can file a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Ohio BWC. Ohio law gives you one year from the date the injury occurred to file your claim. The sooner you file, the better.
BWC Review and Decision
A claims examiner at the BWC reviews your claim and decides whether to allow or deny it. This process can take several weeks, making it imperative to file your claim as soon as possible.
Attend Industrial Commission of Ohio Hearings
If your claim is denied or disputed, it may go to the Industrial Commission of Ohio. Staff hearing officers will review the evidence and issue a decision.
File an Appeal
If you disagree with the BWC’s decision, you still have legal options, such as a review from the Industrial Commission of Ohio and the courts in some instances.
We know this process involves several moving parts. Let us handle the forms, deadlines, and paperwork while you focus on your recovery. Call us today at 614-222-4444 for a free consultation.
Common Reasons Ohio Workers Comp Claims Get Denied
A denied claim doesn’t mean you’re out of options, but it does mean you need to act quickly. Understanding why claims get denied can help you avoid the most common pitfalls or fight back if it’s already happened to you.
- Missed deadlines. Ohio law gives you one year from your injury date to file a claim. Wait too long, and the BWC can deny your claim regardless of how serious your injury is.
- Insufficient medical evidence. The BWC needs your medical records to clearly connect your diagnosis to a work-related incident. If your doctor’s notes don’t explicitly link your injury to your job, your claim can be denied even when the injury is real.
- Delayed medical treatment. Waiting weeks to see a doctor after an injury raises questions. The BWC may assume the injury happened somewhere else, or developed gradually and isn’t job-related.
- Incomplete or inaccurate paperwork. A First Report of Injury form that’s missing details, such as the exact date of injury, a description of what happened, or your employer’s signature, can delay or derail your claim.
- Disputes over whether the injury is work-related. Employers and insurance carriers sometimes argue an injury happened outside of work, or resulted from a preexisting condition rather than a workplace incident.
- Failure to respond to BWC requests. If the BWC asks for additional records or clarification and you don’t respond in time, your claim can be denied by default.
- Alleged preexisting conditions. Even if you have an old injury or ongoing condition, a new workplace incident that aggravates it can still be compensable. Insurance carriers frequently use preexisting conditions as grounds to deny a claim outright.
If your claim has been denied, you still have options. You can appeal the decision through the Industrial Commission of Ohio, and an experienced attorney can make sure your medical records, witness statements, and accident reports are presented the right way the first time.
You shouldn’t have to fight this battle alone. Contact GB Law today at 614-222-4444 or fill out our online form for a free case review, and let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
If the BWC has denied your claim, whether by citing an alleged preexisting condition, claiming you were injured elsewhere, or any other number of reasons, the decision can be appealed before the Ohio Industrial Commission.
We can ensure evidence, doctors’ records, test results, accident reports, and other vital information are successfully presented to the Industrial Commission in your workers compensation appeal.
The Law Offices of Charles W. Kranstuber, LPA: Our Workers Compensation Affiliation
GB Law is affiliated with The Law Offices of Charles W. Kranstuber, LPA. Their knowledge of the system can ensure that you get the money you need. Just as our clients’ needs matter most to us, the workers compensation lawyers at The Law Offices of Charles W. Kranstuber, LPA always put their clients first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Workers Compensation
How Much Does an Ohio Workers Compensation Lawyer Cost?
Most Ohio workers compensation lawyers, including the dedicated team at GB Law, work strictly on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees to get your case started. The lawyer only receives a percentage of the compensation you win. If your claim is denied and you receive no financial benefits, you pay nothing.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers Comp Claim in Ohio?
Ohio law gives employees one year from the date of the job-related injury or wrongful death to file a workers compensation claim. A year might sound like plenty of time, but it can take weeks before you get a response from the BWC. And if your claim is denied, you’ll need more time for the appeals process.
Can I Sue My Employer If They Have Workers Comp Insurance?
In most cases, you cannot sue your employer directly if they maintain active workers compensation insurance. Ohio’s legal system is designed to provide injured workers with payment through the BWC rather than dragging them through lengthy, expensive civil lawsuits. However, exceptions exist if your employer failed to maintain their required insurance coverage or if a negligent third party directly contributed to your injury.
What Benefits Can I Get From an Ohio Workers Comp Claim?
An approved Ohio workers comp claim can provide full coverage for all necessary medical expenses related to your injury. It also provides vital compensation for lost wages while you cannot work and long-term disability benefits for permanent physical impairments. Depending on the severity of the accident, benefits may also cover vocational rehabilitation if you physically cannot return to your previous job.
Injured in a Workplace Accident? Contact Us for a Free Consultation with Experienced Workers Compensation Attorneys in Ohio
At GB Law, we are dedicated to obtaining workers compensation benefits on behalf of injured and disabled workers throughout Ohio.
Contact us today to arrange your free consultation and learn how one of our experienced workers compensation lawyers can get you the compensation you deserve.