The Ohio workers’ compensation system was supposedly designed so injured workers could navigate the process themselves with support from their employers. Theoretically, a worker should not have to hire an attorney to make sure they get the medical and lost wage benefits they are owed after they are injured on the job. This is fine when the employer follows the law and cooperates with injured workers. However, when this is not the case, the worker is entitled to hire legal representation. Monast Law Office has been helping Ohioans with workers’ comp claims for over 30 years. If you are experiencing the following stumbling blocks as you attempt to file a claim, contact our office to discover if we can help.
When You Might Need a Workers’ Comp Attorney
If you had an accident at work—say you fell off a ladder in the warehouse or wrenched your back moving a patient—you should seek medical treatment and report your injury to your employer. After that, how the company or their managed care organization (MCO) proceeds will tell you whether you need to think about hiring a lawyer to help with your claim.
7 Signs You Should Call an Ohio Workers’ Comp Lawyer
- Your claim is denied. You might file an appeal if your initial claim is denied, but it is in your best interest to only do so with the help of an attorney. Presenting a compelling appeal requires an understanding of your right to compensation you simply don’t have. An experienced attorney gives you a greater chance of success than going it alone.
- Your employer denies the injury happened at work. If you did not report the accident right away, your employer might claim that the injury did not happen at work. This can happen where you didn’t report what you thought was a minor injury and then later aggravated the injury to where it becomes serious. It is also common for employers to deny exposure to substances that cause an occupational disease many years later.
- Your employer is taking their time. If you have done everything you are supposed to do and your employer is dragging their feet in processing your claim, that’s a sign that things are probably not going to go smoothly. If you can’t get things moving, call a lawyer.
- You have suffered a permanent disability. These are the most expensive claims for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), so they are the most likely to be denied. If your doctor concludes that you can never return to work, contact a lawyer ASAP.
- You are denied coverage for doctor-recommended treatment. Workers’ comp should cover all work injury-related medical costs. If your doctor prescribes a treatment, but the BWC or self-insured employer refuses to pay for it, talk to a lawyer to help you get the treatment approved.
- You have a pre-existing condition. Who doesn’t have back or neck pain? If you’ve struggled with a condition made worse by an accident at work, you are probably facing an uphill battle with your claim. An attorney can make a world of difference in getting your claim approved.
- Your employer retaliates against you. If you were fired, demoted, or docked hours or pay after filing a workers’ comp claim, you might be the victim of retaliation. This is illegal. Pressuring you to return to work before you are cleared by your doctor is another form of retaliation. In either situation, you will need the help of an experienced lawyer.
When You Need a Lawyer, Trust Monast Law Office
If you have experienced these scenarios, contact Monast Law Office to get your specific questions answered. We will take on the tough cases, and we want to hear your story. Learn more by requesting a free copy of our book, The Worker’s Guide to Injury Compensation in Ohio, then fill out our online contact form or call our Upper Arlington office at 614-334-4649 to get started.
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