Have you heard of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (Ohio BWC)? As an employee in Ohio, you’re probably aware that employers are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage to their employees. But do you know how the Ohio workers’ compensation process works?

Let’s cover what you need to know about the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (Ohio BWC). We’ll talk about how it works and how to get the available benefits. We’ll also discuss some important tips for filing a claim and avoiding pitfalls.

If you need help filing a claim, our Columbus workers’ compensation lawyers can help.

What Is the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation?

The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) is the state’s primary resource for protecting Ohio’s labor force and ensuring a safe, healthy workplace. It provides workers with essential medical and financial benefits when injured and offers employers a range of services to help protect their businesses.

How does this work? The BWC helps employers implement effective injury management systems in their workplace, including providing education and training on preventing accidents and injury. It also supports employers in developing a comprehensive risk management plan to minimize the chance of occupational injuries and illnesses.

It provides medical care, compensation payments for lost wages, and other benefits to help injured workers recover. The BWC also administers benefits for survivors of fatalities due to work-related accidents or illnesses.

All employers in Ohio are legally required to join the BWC and contribute premiums to cover their employees’ compensation costs. In addition, all businesses that have five or more employees must have workers’ compensation insurance coverage from an authorized provider.

Eligibility for Ohio Workers’ Compensation Benefits

If you or a family member have suffered an injury or occupational disease while on the job, one way to get help is through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, commonly called the Ohio BWC.

To qualify for Ohio workers’ compensation benefits:

• You must be employed in Ohio and covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
• You must have experienced an injury or illness in connection with your work.
• You must report your injury to your employer and file a claim with Ohio BWC within two years.
• You must comply with all medical treatment plans.

If you are considered permanently disabled due to a work-related injury, it’s important to remember that these benefits are available for as long as you require them—even after retirement—to cover medical treatments and related costs that arise from the condition. These long-term payments will continue until death, or you have received payment sufficient to compensate you for the duration of the disability.

Steps for Filing an Ohio Workers’ Compensation Claim

So how do you go about filing a claim with the Ohio BWC? Several steps are involved, but don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Here’s an overview of the process.

Step 1: Report the Injury or Illness

The first step is to report the injury or illness to your employer or a claims representative. If you suspect your injury or illness is work-related but are unsure, you should still report it and have it officially considered as a work-related injury.

Step 2: Submit Your Claim Form

Once you’ve reported your injury or illness, the next step is to submit a Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits form to the Ohio BWC. This form includes information about the injured employee, such as name, social security number, type of injury, date of injury, and signature. The form should also include all pertinent medical information and diagnosis provided by medical personnel.

Step 3: Finalizing Your Claim With an Adjuster

After submitting your claim form, an adjuster from Ohio’s BWC will review your case and contact you directly if any additional information is needed. Once approved by an adjuster, approved benefits are paid directly to injured workers.

So there you have it—the three-step process for filing a claim with Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation!

Other Resources to Support Workers in Ohio

The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) also provides other resources and services to help injured workers in the state. Depending on your situation, there may be other options to help you with your claim and get the benefits you deserve.

Here’s a look at some of those resources for injured workers in Ohio.

Training Programs

The BWC offers both online and in-person training programs for employers to learn about workers’ compensation and how to handle claims. This can be helpful for employers who are new to the process since it helps them understand their responsibilities when it comes to providing benefits for injured workers.

Ombudsman Program

The BWC also has an Ombudsman Program, which was created as a way to help employers and employees resolve disputes quickly. The Ombudsman can mediate between the two parties and recommend how to resolve their issue. This program is completely free and voluntary, so it’s worth considering if you have a dispute that needs to be resolved.

Injury Prevention Consultation Services

If an employer wants to reduce or prevent workplace injuries, the BWC also provides consultation services that can help. They offer safety assessments of job sites or workplaces and consulting services that can guide how best to prevent workplace injuries.

This can be especially beneficial for employers just starting the workers’ comp process, as they’ll have access to expert advice on how best to protect their employees from injury or illness while working.

Contact Our Columbus Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

Our Ohio workers’ compensation lawyers are here to answer your questions, help you complete the paperwork, and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

We are here to ensure you have access to the right lawyers and resources to protect your interests in this process to get the full benefits that should be available to you as per Ohio Workers’ Comp law. Call us today at (833) 406-0060 to learn more about how we can help with your claim!