Suffering an injury at work can be detrimental. Not only do you have to deal with your recovery but also with the financial burdens that result. Fortunately, if you’re an employee covered by workers’ compensation insurance, you have a clear path toward receiving benefits and compensation.
The success of your workers’ comp claim depends on the steps you take. A workers’ compensation lawyer can assist you with your claim and help you get the benefits and financial recovery you deserve.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a special type of insurance employers carry for their employees. When an employee suffers harm in the workplace, workers’ comp provides certain benefits and compensation, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Disability benefits
Workers’ compensation also provides benefits to family members who lost a loved one as a result of a work-related injury or condition, including funeral and burial costs.
This type of insurance covers numerous types of work-related injuries, including:
- Repetitive motion injuries like tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and bursitis
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Injuries resulting in amputations
Workers’ comp also provides benefits to employees who suffer from occupational illnesses or medical conditions that have developed or worsened as a result of their work. These illnesses include certain types of cancers and mesothelioma.
If you’re covered by workers’ comp insurance and suffer harm at work, you can file a compensation claim. A workers’ comp lawyer can assist you with the process.
Steps to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Ohio
The success of your workers’ comp claim rests upon certain factors, including the steps you take after suffering an injury or receiving a diagnosis. The following steps can help ensure you obtain the benefits and compensation you need and deserve.
Seek Medical Care
If you’re involved in an accident at work, seek medical attention right away. Visit an emergency room or urgent care, or if your injuries are severe, call 911. Putting your health first can ensure you receive the care you need, get you on the road to recovery faster, and avoid potential complications.
Creating medical records can also strengthen your case by providing evidence of the severity and impact of your injury.
Report Your Injury to Your Employer
As soon as you’re able, speak with your employer. Tell your employer about your work accident and resulting injuries or your recent medical diagnosis of an occupational illness.
Reporting your injury or condition to your employer is a crucial part of the claim process. Failing to do so can negatively affect your claim, and you may lose your right to obtain workers’ comp benefits.
Consult With a Workers’ Comp Attorney
While you can pursue workers’ compensation benefits on your own, it’s best to have a lawyer on your side to support and represent you. Schedule a consultation with a local workers’ comp lawyer as quickly as possible to begin working on your claim.
Hiring a lawyer can give you immense peace of mind. You can focus on your healing and recovery while your attorney does the hard work.
After hiring a workers’ comp attorney, they can take over and handle your claim for the remainder of the process.
Submit a First Report of Injury Form
Once you’ve reported your injury or illness to your employer, they can provide you with a First Report of Injury Form (FROI). Alternatively, your attorney can obtain the form online through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Properly filling out this form and filing it on time is critical to securing workers’ comp benefits.
When filling out your claim form, your lawyer will be as detailed as possible. If you experienced an accident, they’ll provide information, including the date and time of the incident, what occurred, and the injuries that resulted.
Whether you’ve sustained injuries or suffer from a medical condition, your attorney can provide substantial detail concerning your physical health. This includes the extent and severity of your injuries, information about your formal diagnosis, and medical treatment you’ve received and will need in the future.
Along with the form, your workers’ comp lawyer can include evidence, such as medical records and doctor’s notes, to help get your claim approved. Once the form is completed, your lawyer will submit it and supporting documents to the BWC.
Wait for a Decision
After receiving your claim forms, you’ll need to wait for the decision. This is the lengthiest part of the process, as the insurance company investigates your claim and makes their decision.
The insurance company will thoroughly review your claim forms, evidence, and other documents related to your claim. The investigation is necessary for the insurer to determine whether your injury or illness deems you eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
Depending on the complexity of your case, you’ll receive the insurance company’s decision within a few weeks or several months. Claims are often delayed when claim forms and documents are filled out incorrectly or missing information, but this isn’t usually an issue when a workers’ comp lawyer handles your claim.
If your claim is approved, you’ll begin to receive benefits shortly thereafter. Should you receive a claim denial, you have the right to appeal the decision.
Appeal the Decision (if Necessary)
When your workers’ comp claim is denied, your lawyer can appeal the decision on your behalf.
It is particularly important to have a workers’ compensation attorney at this point in the process. A skilled lawyer can file your appeal properly, protect your rights, and work diligently to get you the best possible result.
Advantages of Working With an Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Workers’ compensation claims can be stressful and confusing. When you’re dealing with a work-related injury or condition, the last thing you likely want to do is learn how to navigate the workers’ comp claim process. A qualified attorney can take your claim off your hands and use their skills and resources to pursue a beneficial outcome.
After suffering an injury at work or receiving a diagnosis for an occupational illness, don’t wait to consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer. The future of your claim could depend on it.
Consult With a Workers’ Compensation Attorney Following a Work Injury
If you’ve suffered harm as a result of your job, you’re not alone in your struggles. The workers’ compensation lawyers at Schiff & Associates are ready to help you get the benefits and compensation you need. Contact our firm today, and let’s discuss how we can assist you.