Reporting Your Workplace Injury
If you suffer an injury at work, the first thing you must do is seek appropriate medical attention. Next, you must inform your employer of the accident for proper documentation.
Understanding the First Report of Injury
When informed of an on-the-job injury, you, your doctor, or your employer will complete a form called a First Report of Injury (FROI). This form is then submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC).
If your employer is self-insured, the FROI is submitted to your employer’s human resources staff who handle worker's compensation claims.
Initiating Your Workers' Compensation Claim
The FROI officially initiates your workers' compensation claim. Whoever completes the form should provide as much detailed information as possible.
Accessing the FROI Form
The FROI form can be found on the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation website.
Filing Deadlines for Injury Claims
Currently, Ohio law gives injured workers one year from the date of injury to file their claim with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. For an occupational disease, the current deadline is two years.
Changes to Occupational Disease Claims
Under House Bill 75 however, in September 2021, that rule will change and injured workers will only have one year to submit a claim for an occupational disease.
This means that after September 2021, the filing period for occupational diseases will be reduced to one year, matching the deadline for injuries.
