You suffered a rotator cuff injury while on the job, and now you're facing a choice: file a workers' comp claim or worry that your employer might learn about your diabetes medication, therapy sessions, or that knee surgery from ten years ago. The fear of exposing a complete medical history keeps many injured Ohio workers silent—but that fear is based on a misunderstanding.
Submitting a claim doesn't hand your employer a backstage pass to your entire health history. At Monast Law Office, Columbus workers’ comp lawyer Jim Monast has decades of experience helping people injured in the workplace understand the specific boundaries regarding what information employers can access, how to protect medical records privacy, and ensure that legitimate claims are processed fairly.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
What Medical Information Does the BWC Collect?
When you file a workers’ compensation claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), you submit medical records that relate to your work-related injury or occupational illness. The BWC requires documentation that connects your condition to your job and shows the corresponding treatment. Here’s a snapshot of that information.
Injury-Specific Records
Reports from treating physicians describing the allowed work-related condition, diagnostic test results showing the extent of the injury or illness, and treatment plans that directly address the workplace injury.
Work Capacity Assessments
Medical evaluations that identify what job duties you can safely perform, any restrictions on lifting, movement, or activity related to the injury, and estimates for returning to full or modified duty when applicable.
Treatment Progress Notes
Ongoing documentation showing how your condition responds to treatment, whether prescribed therapies are improving your condition, and whether any complications or changes arise in connection with the work-related injury.
The BWC generally focuses on medical information relevant to the workers’ allowable compensation claim. Records about unrelated medical conditions aren’t routinely required. For example, treatment notes from a cardiologist, dermatologist, psychiatrist, or other provider aren’t typically submitted unless they are relevant to issues in the claim, such as causation, treatment decisions, or recovery from the work injury.
To file a successful claim, you have no choice but to sign the BWC’s Authorization to Release Medical Information. However, if you have a complicated medical history, consult our workers’ compensation legal team before signing a medical records release.
Does My Employer Get the Same Information I Submitted?
No. Your employer receives claim-related information, but not everything you submitted to the BWC. According to the guidelines, employers can access basic claim details, such as:
- Injury date
- The body part affected
- Type of injury or illness claimed
- Claim status
They'll also see information about medical treatment costs being paid through the claim and whether you're approved for temporary total disability or other benefits.
What they won't see is your detailed medical records.
It’s vital to emphasize this distinction because many injured workers mistakenly believe their employer gets copies of every doctor's note, test result, and treatment record. The employer's access is limited to information necessary for managing workplace safety, coordinating return-to-work plans, and understanding claim costs.
What About Independent Medical Examinations?
Ohio's workers' compensation system allows employers to request independent medical examinations (IME) in certain situations. If this happens in your claim, the examining physician reviews records related to your work injury and provides an assessment. The employer receives that assessment—but again, only regarding your work-related condition.
The IME doctor doesn't get access to your complete medical history, and neither does your employer through this process. The examination focuses specifically on the injury you're claiming and whether it's consistent with workplace events.
Can I Control What Information Gets Shared?
You have significant control over medical records privacy throughout the claims process. When you sign medical release forms, read them carefully. Releases should specify they're limited to records related to your work injury claim. When you work with us, our team also reviews these documents to ensure they don’t inadvertently authorize broader access than necessary.
If your employer or the BWC requests records you believe are unrelated to your claim, you have the right to object. Working with our Columbus workers' comp lawyer helps you navigate these situations and protect information that shouldn't be part of your claim file.
What Happens If My Claim Gets Denied or Disputed?
Even in contested or denied claims, medical privacy protections remain in place. If your employer challenges your claim, hearings before the Industrial Commission focus on evidence related to the disputed injury. You can count on Jim Monast to argue against the admission of medical records that don't directly relate to the work injury in question.
The system recognizes that injured workers deserve privacy protections regardless of whether claims proceed smoothly or face opposition. Your unrelated medical conditions shouldn't become ammunition in a dispute about a work injury.
Why Medical Records Privacy Matters in Workers' Compensation
Some people fear employer retaliation or discrimination if their boss learns about mental health treatment. Others worry about judgment regarding weight, past surgeries, or chronic conditions. These concerns, while understandable, shouldn't prevent you from filing legitimate claims.
No matter where you work in Ohio, if you have questions about medical privacy during the workers’ comp claim process, Monast Law Office will explain your rights and help ensure your personal health information stays protected. You deserve both the benefits you've earned and the privacy you're entitled to under the law.
