The injury happened in seconds, but the impact will last for months. You're facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your future, even though workers' compensation should provide the safety net you need.
Many injured workers throughout Ohio don't receive the full compensation they deserve simply because they’re not quite sure how the system works. However, we’re here to help. Choosing the experienced team at Monast Law Office provides more opportunity to maximize workers’ comp benefits by following a proven approach that protects your rights to all the compensation you deserve. Here are the steps we advise.
1. Seek Medical Care Immediately and Follow All Treatment Recommendations
Even if your initial symptoms seem minor, getting prompt medical attention and strictly following your doctor's treatment plan is crucial for both your recovery and your benefits.
- Attend every appointment. If you don’t, this can be interpreted as non-compliance and may result in reduced benefits. If you must reschedule, do so immediately and document the reason.
- Follow prescribed treatments exactly. Take medications as directed, complete physical therapy sessions, and follow through with specialist consultations. Each treatment serves a specific purpose in your recovery and demonstrates your commitment to wellness and returning to work if possible.
- Maintain detailed medical records. Start a file to save all medical records, bills, test results, and correspondence related to your injury. Create both physical and digital copies to ensure nothing gets lost.
Don't return to work before your doctor clears you for duty, and avoid posting about your injury or complaining about your company on social media.
2. Report Your Injury to Your Employer Right Away
Employers typically require you notify them about work-related injuries within specific timeframes to protect your right to benefits.
- Report your injury on the first business day after it occurs, if not sooner, or when you become aware that a condition is work-related.
- Provide written notice to your supervisor or human resources department, even if you've already reported the injury verbally. Include essential details such as the date, time, location, and circumstances of your injury.
- Then, complete the First Report of Injury (FROI) form with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).
Filing your claim correctly with the BWC requires attention to detail and adherence to specific procedures. Complete all required forms accurately and submit them within the designated timeframes. Missing deadlines can result in claim denial or delayed benefits.
In most cases, Ohio statute of limitations indicates that you have one year from the date of injury to file a workers’ compensation claim. Occupational illnesses usually have a longer reporting time. However, don’t delay: late reporting can jeopardize your entire claim, even if your job-related condition is legitimate.
3. Document Everything From Day One to Maximize Workers’ Comp Benefits
This vital evidence is the foundation of any successful claim and significantly impacts the benefits you receive.
- Create detailed incident records. Write down everything you remember about how your injury happened while the details are fresh. Include information about equipment involved, weather conditions, and any safety violations that might have contributed to your illness or injury.
- Take photographs, if necessary. Capture images of the accident scene, your visible injuries, and any hazardous conditions that led to your injury. Visual evidence can be powerful when your employer or the BWC questions your claim's validity.
- Keep witness contact information. Collect names and phone numbers of coworkers or others who witnessed your injury. Their statements can provide crucial support if disputes arise later.
Along with your comprehensive medical records, you may also want to keep a journal regarding how you feel.
4. Learn More About the Workers’ Compensation System
If you meet the basic requirements for workers’ comp, it’s important to understand what to expect.
- Medical care benefits cover all expenses associated with treating your workplace injury or illness, including doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation, and even home or vehicle modifications needed due to your condition. These comprehensive medical benefits ensure you receive necessary treatment without worrying about costs.
- Wage replacement benefits provide weekly payments when your injury prevents you from working. The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation calculates these payments based on a percentage of your weekly wages and the severity of your disability, whether temporary or permanent. If you worked more than one job, include the wages from each.
There are various forms of compensation, including:
- Temporary total disability for short-term recovery periods
- Permanent partial disability for lasting impairments that still allow some work capacity
- Permanent total disability for injuries that prevent any future employment
Review our more detailed article about the Ohio workers’ compensation system.
5. Partner With a Skilled Ohio Work Injury Lawyer
Working with a knowledgeable workers' compensation attorney significantly increases your chances of receiving maximum workers’ comp benefits under Ohio law. Our legal professionals strive to alleviate many of your concerns and aggravations about the process so you don’t miss out on what you deserve.
As one of our clients said, “I was getting nowhere and was extremely frustrated. Monast Law Office was recommended to me, and they took on my case. They were so easy to work with and took care of everything. They made a very stressful situation virtually stress-free.”
After more than 35 years handling scores of workers’ compensation cases at various levels of complication, we know exactly what you’re going through and, just as importantly, what needs to be done to strengthen your case and secure the benefits that help you recover.
