When you’ve been injured on the job in Columbus or anywhere in Ohio, navigating the workers’ compensation system can feel overwhelming. At Schiff & Associates, our experienced workers’ comp attorneys in Columbus exclusively focus on workers’ compensation cases, bringing extensive experience and personalized attention to every injured worker we represent. The workers’ comp process is complex and difficult to navigate without representation, which is why having an experienced attorney for workers’ comp in Ohio is essential to protecting your rights and securing the benefits you deserve.
Why Choose Schiff & Associates
as Your Workers' Comp Lawyer in Ohio
Workers Compensation:
Attorney Alexia Korth breaks down what you need to know if you were a victim of a workplace accident.
“The workers’ comp process is very complex and difficult to navigate without representation. Employers retain counsel to represent them whenever there’s a workers’ compensation claim, so you should have an experienced attorney on your side too. I personally give all clients my direct line and my cell phone number so they can reach me at any time.”
– Alexia Korth, Workers' Compensation Attorney
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Types of Workers' Comp Benefits We Help You Recover
- Medical Benefits: Coverage for all necessary medical treatment related to your work injury.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Wage replacement while you cannot work due to your injury.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): One-time pain and suffering award based on your permanent impairment percentage.
- Loss of Use Awards: Compensation if you lose a limb, hand, finger, or other body part.
- Settlement: Lump-sum payment to resolve your claim and provide financial security when treatment has stabilized.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Workers' Comp in Ohio
Immediately after your work injury. Don’t wait until your claim is denied. If you go to a hearing without proper documentation or legal representation, irreparable damage can be done. Once your claim is denied at the first hearing, you have only 14 days to file an appeal. Missing this deadline can close your claim forever. The statute of limitations for workers’ comp claims in Ohio is one year from the date of injury, but acting quickly helps you have the strongest possible case.
Absolutely. Many injuries aren’t immediately apparent, such as concussions or conditions that develop over time. Contact us right away for a free consultation, and we’ll evaluate whether you have a valid claim. You don’t need to have already filed a claim before contacting us—we’ll help you step by step throughout the entire process.
Even injuries that seem “minor” can be life-altering when they prevent you from performing the physical demands of your career. An injury doesn’t have to be catastrophic to qualify for workers’ compensation—if it keeps you from doing your job or requires ongoing medical treatment, you deserve compensation. Many of our clients have injuries that wouldn’t be considered “substantial” by typical standards, but these injuries have fundamentally changed their ability to work in their chosen field. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss how your injury has impacted your life and work.
Workers’ compensation in Ohio involves three entities: the injured worker, the employer, and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). All three must agree on every aspect of your claim—from which conditions are allowed to what treatment is approved to whether compensation is awarded. When any party disagrees, the matter goes to a hearing. This is why having experienced representation is critical. Employers always have attorneys representing their interests, and you should too.
The workers’ comp process requires building your case strategically. After your initial claim is allowed (for example, a left ankle sprain), you build upon that foundation as your condition develops. If an MRI reveals a fracture rather than just a sprain, we request additional allowances. This matters because the allowed conditions must align with the treatment your doctors request—a sprain typically doesn’t justify surgery, but a fracture does. Every piece of medical treatment requires permission and approval, which is why proper documentation and legal representation are essential.
While Ohio is an at-will employment state, employers cannot fire you in retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. However, employers have become savvy at finding other reasons to justify termination, such as claiming they needed to fill your position because you couldn’t return to work. If you’re concerned about retaliation, contact us immediately.
No. In Ohio, you are barred from suing your employer for work-related injuries—this is true in most states. Workers’ compensation is typically your only recourse against your employer. However, if you were injured in a motor vehicle accident while working and another driver was at fault, you can sue that at-fault driver while also pursuing your workers’ comp claim. These are separate claims and are handled differently.
Seek medical treatment immediately, even if you think you can work through it. Without documentation, the BWC and your employer will assume you’re not seriously injured. Notify your supervisor or employer right away and request to fill out an incident report—get a copy for your records. Take photos if possible. Then contact an experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Ohio as soon as possible. The longer you wait to get treatment or legal help, the weaker your case becomes.
It depends on where you are in the process. After the first hearing denial, you have 14 days to file an appeal for a second-level hearing. If you’re still within that timeframe, we may be able to help. If the appeal period has passed without a proper appeal being filed, there’s often little that can be done. This is why contacting an attorney immediately after denial is critical.
Workers’ comp claims don’t close until they’re settled. The process involves ongoing hearings whenever the employer or BWC disagrees with treatment requests, compensation claims, or additional allowances. This continues until your medical treatment has stabilized or you’ve returned to work, at which point we explore settlement. The timeline varies significantly based on the severity of your injuries and the complexity of your case.
The workers’ comp process is extremely complex with strict deadlines and technical requirements. You need proper documentation from doctors, you must file specific motions correctly, and you must know how to present evidence at hearings. Meanwhile, your employer has attorneys working to minimize their costs. Going to a hearing unrepresented puts you at a severe disadvantage and can result in your claim being permanently denied.
Serving Columbus
and All of Ohio
Schiff & Associates represents injured workers throughout Ohio. As a Columbus-based firm with over 40 years of experience, we understand the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation system, local hearing officers, and the strategies employers’ attorneys use. Our clients appreciate working with a local attorney who is accessible, responsive, and personally invested in their case.
Don’t navigate the complex workers’ comp system alone. Let us handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery. Talk to a Columbus workers’ comp attorney today at 614-621-8888 for your free consultation and let us fight for the benefits you deserve.
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Discuss Your Case?
Our team is here to provide clear advice. Your primary contacts, Zach and Josh are committed to trusting our guidance to get you the best outcome.