It’s hard to know how an accident will affect you down the road. Even doctors can’t always tell. For example, after a fall from a ladder, while fighting a fire for the Springfield Fire Rescue, your broken arm will be apparent, but a back injury might not be diagnosed until weeks later.
If you've already filed a workers’ comp claim for the broken arm, you must file for an additional allowance to get treatment for the back injury.
This can be tricky, and you'll want to work with an attorney to make sure you present the strongest possible claim.
What Can Go Wrong With an Additional Allowance Claim
It may be evident to you and your doctor that an injury with delayed symptoms is related to your work accident, but the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) will not take your word for it. It approved your claim based on the injury you reported following the accident. To authorize additional allowances, the BWC requires strong evidence connecting the new condition to the original incident.
The application for additional allowances may come from the treating physician, who can submit a C-9 request form to the BWC; or you or your attorney can move for recognition of additional conditions.
As a workers’ comp attorney, I can’t stress enough the importance of consulting an attorney before filing this motion. Experienced legal counsel can evaluate the strength of the medical evidence and evaluate your chances of success. Without clear and compelling evidence, your case may be referred to the Industrial Commission for a hearing. If you lose the hearing, you may file an appeal, but this process is time-consuming, and there's no guarantee of success.
If you or your doctor already submitted a C-9 and you received a Notice of Hearing, you shouldn't go forward with the hearing without an attorney to present a strong case on your behalf.
Get Help From Monast Law
If you're considering filing for an additional allowance, call me for a free case evaluation. I've helped employees of Navistar, Worthington Industries, Gepak, Honda, and many others get approval for additional allowances.
For example, a client injured his knee in a workplace accident and required multiple surgeries. Several years later, he developed deep vein thrombosis, which we showed resulted from the operation. We were then successful in getting the additional treatment covered under the original workers’ comp claim. When I take your workers’ comp case, I commit to following through with your claim. You're never just another client at Monast Law.
For an easy-to-read overview of the Ohio workers’ comp process, request our free ebook. In it, I explain how to handle filing a claim, steps to take to avoid contested claims, and what you need to do to apply for additional allowances.
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