Columbus Workers Comp Attorney
Do You Need a Workers Comp Attorney in Columbus?
The experienced Columbus workers comp attorneys at GB Law provide legal help to injured and disabled workers from any industry. No matter where the severity of the injury or where the workplace injury occurred, we are committed to protecting the rights of injured workers in Columbus and throughout Ohio and recovering compensation on their behalf.
Our personal injury law firm can help with your entire workers’ compensation claims process, from the initial application to an appeal.
We represent injured workers before the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) and the Industrial Commission of Ohio.
For more information, contact GB Law.
Types of Workers Compensation Claims Our Law Firm Takes
Not all workplace injuries look the same, and Ohio’s workers’ compensation system recognizes that. Our Columbus workers comp attorneys handle a wide range of claim types, including:
- Traumatic injury claims. These are the most common type of workers’ comp claim. They involve a sudden, identifiable accident at work: a fall from scaffolding, a manufacturing accident, a loading dock injury, or a work-related car accident. The injury has a clear date and cause.
- Occupational disease claims. Some conditions develop gradually over time due to your work environment or duties. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, hearing loss, or lung disease caused by repeated exposure to chemicals or hazardous materials may qualify. Ohio gives workers two years from the onset of disability or six months from a physician’s diagnosis to file this type of claim.
- Cumulative trauma claims. Repetitive stress injuries, such as back injuries from years of heavy lifting or joint damage from repetitive motion, can qualify for workers’ compensation even without a single identifiable accident.
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions. If your work duties made an existing medical condition significantly worse, you may still be entitled to compensation for the aggravated portion of your injury.
- Death claims. When a workplace accident results in a fatality, surviving dependents may be entitled to death benefits, including compensation for funeral expenses and ongoing financial support.
If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, do not assume you cannot recover compensation. Call GB Law to speak with a Columbus workers comp attorney who can evaluate your specific circumstances.
Understanding the Ohio BWC Claims Process
Navigating the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation system can feel overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with a painful injury and time away from work. Our Columbus workers comp attorneys are here to guide you through every step.
Here is what the process typically looks like:
Report Your Injury
Notify your employer as soon as possible after an on-the-job injury. Ohio law does not set a hard deadline for this step, but delays can raise questions about your claim.
See a BWC-Certified Physician for Medical Treatment
You must receive treatment from a doctor certified by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Your treating provider will document your injury and submit medical records that form the foundation of your claim.
File Your Claim
You or your employer can file a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Ohio BWC. You have one year from the date of injury to file.
BWC Review
A BWC claims examiner reviews your claim and determines whether to allow or deny it. This process typically takes several weeks.
Attend Industrial Commission of Ohio Hearings
If your claim is disputed or denied, your case may go before the Industrial Commission of Ohio. Hearings are conducted by staff hearing officers who review the evidence and issue a decision.
File an Appeal
If you disagree with a hearing decision, additional levels of appeal are available, including review by the full Industrial Commission and, in some cases, the courts.
Missing a deadline or submitting incomplete documentation can seriously damage your claim. That is why it is important to work with an experienced Columbus workers comp attorney from the very beginning, not just after a denial. Contact GB Law at 614-222-4444 for a free consultation.
Injured on the Job? Call a Columbus Workers Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation
When you have suffered a back injury, neck injury, or other workplace injury that limits your ability to do your job, 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 relief for injured workers and their families.
However, the process of obtaining workers’ compensation benefits can be challenging and time-consuming. Without the help of an experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyer, many initial claims for benefits are denied.
We encourage you to seek help from an experienced workers compensation attorney in Columbus 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 to avoid missteps that might limit a claimant’s ability to recover certain damages allowed for under the workers compensation system,
Our law firm can provide experienced help at all stages of your work injury claim in order to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your on-the-job injury.
Contact GB Law for a free consultation.
Has Your Workers Compensation Claim Been Denied? Our Columbus Workers Compensation Attorneys Can Help
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.
At GB Law, we are dedicated to obtaining workers’ compensation benefits on behalf of injured workers throughout the state of Ohio.
Common Reasons Workers Compensation Claims Are Denied
A denial from the Ohio BWC is not the end of the road. Many legitimate claims are denied on the first attempt, but the decision can be appealed. Understanding why claims get denied can help you avoid common pitfalls and strengthen your case from the start.
The most frequent reasons for denial include:
- Failure to report the injury promptly. If you waited a long time before telling your employer about the injury, the BWC may question whether it actually happened at work.
- No medical documentation. Claims with little or no supporting medical evidence are frequently denied. Seeing a BWC-certified physician right away and clearly describing how the injury happened is essential.
- Disputes over whether the injury was work-related. Employers and the BWC may argue that your injury occurred outside of work, during a personal activity, or while commuting none of which are typically covered.
- Pre-existing condition arguments. The BWC or your employer’s administrator may claim that your injury is entirely the result of a condition you had before starting the job, rather than something caused or worsened by your work duties.
- Allegations of intoxication or self-inflicted injury. Ohio law excludes claims where the injury resulted from the worker being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or from intentional self-harm.
- Missed filing deadlines. Ohio requires injury claims to be filed within one year of the date of injury. Occupational disease claims have their own deadlines. Missing these windows typically forfeits your right to benefits.
- Employer disputes the claim. Your employer or their managed care organization may actively contest your claim, arguing that the accident did not happen as described or that the injury is not as severe as reported.
If your claim has been denied for any of these reasons, a Columbus workers comp attorney can help you build a stronger case for appeal. GB Law has experience presenting medical evidence, eyewitness accounts, accident reports, and expert testimony before the Ohio Industrial Commission. Do not let a denial be the final word. Contact us today at 614-222-4444.
Our Workers Compensation Affiliation: The Law Offices of Charles W. Kranstuber, LPA
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.
For more information, feel free to call us at 614-222-4444 or fill out a case evaluation form.
Columbus, Ohio Workers Compensation FAQs
What Should I Do if I Have Been Injured at Work?
If you are injured at work, you should immediately report the injury to your employer. You should also go to an urgent care center or an emergency room, or make an appointment with an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation–certified physician.
It is important to let the treating provider know how the injury occurred. Having detailed accident and medical records strengthens workers’ compensation cases and increases the likelihood of getting compensation.
What are Workers Compensation Benefits?
Ohio’s workers compensation laws entitle you to the following benefits:
- Financial compensation for medical bills for your allowed conditions
- Payment of temporary total compensation for your time off work
- Permanent partial award for your residual disability due to the injury
- Wage loss if you have an impairment of your earnings
- Lump sum settlement of your claim, under certain circumstances
If you are unable to work after sustaining a serious injury, you may also be entitled to permanent total disability benefits.
Our Columbus workers’ compensation attorneys can help injured workers obtain the full amount of compensation they need. Contact GB Law to speak with a workers’ comp lawyer.
How Long Do I Have to File a Workers Comp Claim?
For an injury, you have 1 year from the date of injury to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
For an occupational disease, you have 2 years after the disability due to the disease began or 6 months after the date of diagnosis by a physician.
The statute of limitations for an occupational disease is somewhat complicated, so it is best to contact a workers comp attorney as soon as possible.
Am I Eligible for a Workers Compensation Claim if I Was At-Fault for My Work Injury?
Generally, yes. The Ohio workers’ compensation system is not based on fault. Therefore, it does not matter who was at fault when you sustained your injury at work.
There are some exceptions to this rule, such as if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of injury or if the injury was self-inflicted.
Will I be Paid for My Time Off Work?
Typically, injured workers in Ohio are eligible for lost time benefits (temporary total compensation) if they are off work for more than 7 days due to the injury. The first 7 days become compensable if an injured worker loses more than 14 consecutive days due to the injury.
How Long After a Workers Comp Settlement Do I Get Paid?
Obtaining workers’ comp benefits in Ohio can be a slow process. 3 to 4 months after filing your claim settlement application, an Ohio BWC compensation specialist will contact you or your lawyer with a settlement offer. If you accept the settlement offer, you must wait 7 days to receive an order approving the agreement, then a 30-day waiting period for the settlement agreement to be finalized. Once that waiting period ends, the Ohio BWC issues and mails the check, which typically takes 7 to 10 days before it arrives in your mailbox.
This does not take the appeals process or any other compensation issues that may arise into account. Workers’ compensation laws can be confusing and difficult to navigate, which is why many workers’ comp clients choose to hire an attorney.