The worker’s compensation system has insured that American employees have been protected after accidents and injuries in the workplace. Social Security was created to provide both medical care and wage replacement benefits when an employee is injured on the job or falls ill due to the job. Last year alone there were over 99,000 workers’ compensation claims. Our article shares the basics of worker’s compensation rights and options to ensure workers have the right to work in a safe environment.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation works similarly to health insurance because it is activated by an injury. Workers’ compensation has two main components which consist of medical care and wage replacement. Wage replacement occurs when an employee is forced to leave work from an injury and compensation is therefore obtained to make up for the lost wages. Medical care is available for the injured employee and any costs that include doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, rehabilitation, home, and vehicle modifications are covered.
Who is Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
In Ohio, all workers are eligible to receive workers’ compensation with minor exceptions. The law only covers what is known as an employee with the original entity. Some injuries that are not covered by workers’ compensation include fighting, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a self-inflicted injury, or violating state company law.
Obtaining Benefits after a Work-Related Injury
If you have suffered an injury or illness related to your place of work here are some steps to ensure you can obtain the appropriate benefits:
- Receive Medical Attention: seeking medical attention is vital to make sure you receive the treatment you need and for documenting the original injury.
- Notify Your Employer: reporting the injury to your employer is a necessity in this process. Your employer should have you fill out an injury report immediately. Likewise, your employer should give you more information on how to file a claim.
- File a workers’ compensation claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation: Claims are filed through the state of Ohio because Ohio has a monopolistic workers’ compensation system. You may file the claim under injured worker, doctor, employer, or another authorized representative. The BWC will notify the worker if the claim has been approved or denied within 28 days. File the claim here: https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/Bwc.injury.report.UI
Workers’ compensation is vital for the emotional, the physical, and financial health of an injured employee. If you have suffered an injury at work contact the Ohio wage & hour lawyers at Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC to help you file a claim.
