Tiffin Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Getting injured while at work can be a confusing situation. Not only do you need to make a physical recovery, but oftentimes, you have to fight against the workers’ compensation insurance company for the financial benefits that you deserve. Far too often, people meet resistance by the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) or an independent insurance company. Tiffin workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help you to fight for the benefits that all workers are entitled to. Speak to a compassionate personal injury attorney who can fight for your recovery.

Workers’ Compensation Laws

Ohio Law requires that all workplaces with one or more employee carry workers’ compensation insurance under Ohio Revised Code 4123.01. The purpose of this is to both provide injured workers with a means to remain financially stable in case of an accident and to protect the employer from liability in case of an injury. A Tiffin workers’ compensation lawyer can help an employee to file form FROI-1 and inform their employer of the accident.

What are Revised Codes Relevant to a Case?

Ohio Revised Code 4123-3-08 explains the extent of the paperwork that an injured worker should have to file. The next step is to visit the doctor’s office both for treatment and to get the doctor’s opinion on the level of disability. No more than 28 days after the FROI-1 is filed, the Ohio BWC must issue an initial decision.

According to Ohio Revised Code 4123-3-09, this decision can issue payments based on total disability, partial disability, or require that the worker returns to work immediately. Regardless of the decision, all parties have the right to appeal. The rules for this appeal are contained in Ohio Revised Code 4123-3-18. According to this statute, all workers, the employers, and the administrator can initiate an appeal.

This appeal must be initiated within 60 days of the original decision. The statute also specifies how the appeal must be filed, written and served. Tiffin workers’ compensation lawyers possess a detailed knowledge of these rules and represent individuals throughout the appeals process, from the industrial board to the final arguments in court.

When to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Any injury that happens while a person is at work is covered by the workers’ compensation insurance program. This has nothing to do with if their employer caused them to become hurt. Simply being injured while performing their normal work duties is sufficient. If someone is a construction worker and break an arm after falling from a ladder, they likely have a successful workers’ compensation claim. However, if an individual is on their lunch break and steps in a pot hole in a parking lot, they likely do not have a successful workers’ compensation claim since they were not actively working at the time.

Potential Compensation

Possible benefits for a successful workers’ compensation claim include:

• Doctor’s bills and medications related to the injury. Most doctors are covered under Ohio law
• Temporary disability. If a doctor decides that an injured individual is unable to work at all for seven days or more, they may be eligible for 72 percent of their total wages for twelve weeks. This percentage drops to 66 percent after twelve weeks
• Permanent disability. If a doctor states that an injured individual is unable to work for the rest of their life, they can also receive a percentage of their weekly earnings

Help from an Attorney

Whether you have been unable to work for a few weeks or can no longer work for the foreseeable future, Tiffin workers’ compensation lawyers are here to help. When a person is injured at work, they should be concentrating on their recovery, not wrangling with paperwork and the courts. If your claim for benefits has been outright denied or if the examining board has awarded you only a partial benefits package, skilled attorneys can work with you to appeal your decision and get you the benefits you deserve.