How long do I have to file a claim?

For an injury, you have one year from the date of injury to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. For an occupational disease, you have two years after the disability due to the disease began or six 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 an attorney as soon as possible.

Can I have an allowed workers’ compensation claim if I was at fault in causing my injury?

Generally, yes. The Ohio workers’ compensation system is not based on fault. Therefore, it does not matter whether you or your employer was at fault when you sustained your injury. 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.

What benefits am I entitled to under my workers’ compensation claim?

Workers’ compensation laws entitle you to payment of medical bills for your allowed conditions, payment of temporary total compensation for your time off work, a permanent partial award for your residual disability due to the injury, wage loss if you have an impairment of your earnings, and potentially a lump sum settlement of your claim. If you never return to any sustained, remunerative employment due to your injury, you may also be entitled to permanent total disability benefits.

Columbus Workers Compensation Lawyer

Q: Will I be paid for my time off work?

Typically, an injured worker is eligible for lost time benefits (temporary total compensation) if he or she is off work for more than seven days due to the injury. The first seven days become compensable if the injured worker loses more than fourteen consecutive days due to the injury.

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Columbus Workers Compensation Lawyer

Do You Need a Workers Compensation Lawyer in Columbus?

In this video, GBM Law attorney and Columbus workers compensation lawyer Sydney McLafferty discusses what you should do if you have a worker’s compensation case.

The experienced Columbus workers comp lawyers at GBM 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 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 GBM Law.

Types of Workers Compensation Cases Our Law Firm Takes

We are experienced in handling Ohio workers compensation cases for workers who have been injured in:

Construction accidents
Warehouse accidents
Manufacturing accidents
Work-related car accidents
Office incidents
Loading dock accidents
Other on-the-job accidents

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 GBM 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 GBM Law, we are dedicated to obtaining workers’ compensation benefits on behalf of injured workers throughout the state of Ohio.

Contact us today to arrange your free consultation and learn how one of our experienced Columbus workers’ compensation lawyers can help.

Our Workers Compensation Affiliation: The Law Offices of Charles W. Kranstuber, LPA

Geiser, Bowman & McLafferty 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 GBM 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.