Understanding Workers’ Compensation

What is Workers’ Compensation?

Every employer, with a few exceptions, is required by Ohio state law to provide workers’ compensation benefits for employees who suffer from work-related illnesses or injuries. These benefits are designed to cover lost wages, loss of future earnings, vocational rehabilitation expenses, and medical bills. In Ohio, employers can be state funded or self-insured. State funded employers are employers that pay a premium to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for coverage, whereas self-insured employers manage their own claims.  Employers are not permitted to have private insurance coverage for work-related injuries. Workers’ Compensation claims can be rejected, leaving injured workers without the coverage they need. That’s why you need the help of an Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer who knows the legal system and can stand up for your rights as an injured employee.

Brief History Lesson

Workers’ compensation is an idea that began more than 4,000 years ago. A stone tablet was recovered from ancient Sumeria detailing the Law of Ur, which provides a monetary compensation for injured workers. Many other ancient societies had precise standards for compensating workers. U.S. based workers’ compensation began springing up in the early 1900s on a state level. Initially, the Federal government was reluctant to mandate any standard on a national level, other than a 1908 program designed to cover federal workers. By 1921, only six states had yet to adopt a worker protection program. Today, all workers’ compensation programs are running statewide.

Steps to Take When Injured on the Job

• Report the Injury – After being injured in the workplace, you should report your injury to your employer immediately by following your employer’s procedure. It is best to report your injury right away, but you have one year to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).
• Obtain Medical Care – Seek treatment for your injury as soon as possible. You will be able to see any doctor on your first visit. After the first visit, the employee must select a BWC-certified medical provider.
• Keep Track of Expenses and Missed Work
• Hire a Lawyer to Help with Your Claim – Hiring a workers’ compensation lawyer will help you protect your rights and assist in gathering evidence to prove your claim.

“It is imperative that you contact a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible. It is much easier for a lawyer to prevent a mistake from happening than to correct a mistake”, said Benjamin P. Wiborg, trial attorney at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy.

Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Attorney

The claims process can be complicated, and you may hit some roadblocks along the way. Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy can help, contact our workers’ compensation attorney today. We can assist you with filing a claim and fight to make sure your employee rights are protected. Fill out a free initial consultation form or call (216) 230 – 6352.

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