If you were injured on the job and are collecting workers’ compensation benefits, you may be approached by your employer or the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) about settling your claim. Or, you yourself may decide you'd like to pursue a settlement so you no longer have to deal with the BWC or your self-insured employer.
As with anything, there are pros and cons to settling a workers’ comp claim.
What Is a Settlement?
When you settle your workers’ comp claim, you agree to a lump sum payment from the BWC or your self-insured employer and give up coverage for injury-related medical care and wage replacement payments. You also release any further right to compensation related to the injury or illness that led to the claim.
It's important to be aware of the following:
- The date the BWC mails a settlement approval letter is your effective settlement date.
- Payments for medical bills or wage replacement stop on the effective settlement date.
- If you owe child support, it will be taken from the settlement before you receive any money.
- Any overpayment of compensation you received is recouped from the settlement.
Your attorney will explain the terms of a settlement to be sure you understand what you agree to.
How Does a Settlement Proceed?
A workers’ comp settlement can be initiated by either the injured worker or his employer, but all parties involved, including the BWC, must ultimately agree to the settlement. The BWC administers and approves the claim settlement, which must also be reviewed by the Industrial Commission of Ohio to make sure it's fair to all parties.
While not a requirement, it's a good idea to get the advice of an experienced Ohio workers’ comp attorney to make sure the financial recovery offered is in your best interest. If you have an attorney, the BWC works directly with him or her to negotiate the settlement.
What to Think About When Considering a Settlement
While the thought of a lump sum payment from the BWC or your self-insured employer may be appealing, you need to understand what you're giving up. Sometimes, it makes sense to initiate or agree to a settlement. There are also pivotal circumstances when it doesn’t make good financial sense.
Some questions to consider include:
- Are you receiving ongoing treatment? If you're seeing a doctor or physical therapist regularly to treat your injury, will you be able to continue to pay for visits if you need to? If you require surgery later—for example, for a back injury sustained while loading heavy packages for UPS—will you have the money for it? Workers' comp benefits will cover these costs for the duration of the injury, but if you agree to a settlement, you won't have this coverage. This may not be a concern if you have other health insurance to cover current and future treatment.
- Need you keep working? Settlement agreements usually require your resignation from Kroger, Walmart, or another Ohio employer settling your claim. If you require continuing income, make sure you can get another job.
- Are you moving out of state? If you're relocating from Ohio, it may make sense to settle, because it's difficult to pursue claims with the BWC for medical treatment received in another state.
- Are you receiving other benefits? If you're receiving Social Security disability, Medicare, or VA benefits, you must work with an experienced attorney to properly structure a workers' comp settlement to your best advantage.
While these questions can get you started, you should not consider a settlement until you talk to an Ohio workers’ comp attorney.
You Need an Experienced Lawyer by Your Side
You're faced with a big decision when thinking about settling a workers’ comp claim, and you shouldn't trust the decision to just any attorney--and certainly not to the BWC or self-insured employer's representative. Hiring the right legal counsel could pocket you thousands of additional dollars.
I handle hundreds of Ohio workers’ comp claims each year, but you'll never be simply a number. At Monast Law, you get the personal time and attention your claim deserves as we help you reach a workers’ comp settlement you can be happy with. To learn more, request our free book, The Worker’s Guide to Injury Compensation in Ohio, or call us today.
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