Making a Workers Comp Claim, Ohio BWC

Ohio Workers' Compensation Coverage

In Ohio, employers are mandated to provide workers’ compensation insurance through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).

This requirement applies unless the employer is "self-insured."

Covered Injuries and Conditions

Workers’ compensation, often called "workers comp," provides coverage for various issues.

It includes:

• Injuries,
• Occupational diseases,
• and Death,

These must be sustained by an employee "in the course of" and "arising out of" their employment.

Filing a Claim with the Ohio BWC

Typically, a workers’ comp claim in Ohio is initiated by a doctor, chiropractor, managed care organization (MCO), employer, or the employee themselves.

The First Report of Injury (FROI) form is the document used for this purpose.

Common Diagnoses in Claims

A workers’ comp claim can be approved for a wide range of diagnoses.

These may include:

• Lumbar sprain,
• Herniated disc,
• Aggravation of degenerative disc disease,
• Knee sprain,
• Cervical sprain,
• Rotator cuff tear,
• Shoulder sprain,
• Ankle sprain,
• Contusion,
• Depression,
• Post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

These injuries might be confirmed through various diagnostic methods.

Such methods include:

• X-ray,
• MRI,
• CT Scan,
• EMG or other testing methods.

Workers' comp injuries often result from a specific incident or accident, such as lifting, slip and falls, pulling, or car accidents. However, they can also stem from repetitive movements, actions, or traumas over time.

Claim Allowance and Disallowance

If a workers’ comp claim is approved, the employee becomes eligible for several benefits.

These include having their medical bills paid and receiving compensation for missing work.

Appealing a Disallowed Claim

If a claim is denied, the employee has the right to appeal the decision.

The matter can then be heard at the Ohio Industrial Commission in Cincinnati.

We don’t get paid until You get paid!

Hiring a Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation attorney experienced with Industrial Commission hearings can help ensure your claim allowance is handled correctly.

McKenzie & Snyder LLP has been representing clients at the Cincinnati Industrial Commission for 25 years.