Work Injury Help from Skilled Workers Comp Lawyers | Ohio Workers Compensation Law Firm
At Spears & Marinakis, LLC, our skilled workers’ comp lawyers are committed to protecting the rights of every injured worker in Ohio. We understand how confusing the workers’ compensation system can feel, especially when you’ve been hurt at work and are suddenly facing lost wages, medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. Our law firm is here to ensure you get the workers’ compensation benefits and the compensation you deserve under New York law and Ohio workers’ compensation laws.
Ohio Workers’ Compensation Laws: What Employees Need to Know
Ohio operates a state-run workers’ compensation system, requiring nearly every employer to carry active workers’ compensation insurance coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). This workers’ comp system provides benefits and compensation to employees who experience a work injury, occupational illness, or other on-the-job injury.
Key points of Ohio law include:
- Mandatory Coverage: Every employer with at least one employee must carry BWC workers’ compensation, with very limited exceptions.
- No-Fault System: Workers are entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident, meaning you don’t have to prove your employer was at fault.
- Strict Penalties: Employers and insurance companies that fail to comply may face fines, lawsuits, and even criminal charges.
What Workers’ Compensation Provides in Ohio
Under the Ohio Revised Code Chapters 4121 and 4123, workers’ compensation provides a wide range of benefits for injured workers:
- Medical Treatment: Care from approved providers for any injury or occupational illness covered by workers’ compensation.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Benefits if you are unable to work during recovery.
- Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): Partial benefits if you return to work in a reduced capacity.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): Compensation if your injury results in long-term limitations.
- Permanent Total Disability (PTD): Benefits if you are unable to return to work permanently.
- Scheduled Loss Award: A lump-sum payment for the loss of a body part, vision, or hearing.
- Death and Survivor Benefits: Support for dependents if a worker dies from a workplace injury or illness.
Workers’ compensation benefits may also cover lost time from work, vocational rehabilitation, and living maintenance during retraining.
Deadlines and Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim
An injured worker must follow strict rules under Ohio workers’ compensation law. Missing deadlines can prevent you from receiving benefits.
- Report Your Injury: Notify your employer immediately if you are injured at work. Failing to report promptly may affect your claim.
- File Your Claim: Workers must file a workers’ compensation claim within one year of the injury, diagnosis of an occupational illness, or death. Filing a workers’ comp claim begins by submitting the First Report of Injury (FROI) form to the BWC.
- Decision Timeline: The BWC generally issues a decision within 18 days. If denied, you may appeal through the Ohio Industrial Commission.
- Appeals: If you disagree with a decision, you must file within 14 days. Some claims may proceed to the Court of Common Pleas.
Filing a workers’ comp claim without an attorney can be risky. A skilled workers’ compensation lawyer ensures that all deadlines are met and your claim is properly documented.
Why You Workers Comp Lawyers on Your Side
Having an experienced workers’ compensation attorney gives you the best chance of receiving the compensation you need. Insurance companies often deny claims, minimize benefits, or delay payments. Our compensation attorneys know how to challenge these tactics and help injured workers recover the maximum compensation available.
An attorney can help you with:
- Filing a workers’ compensation claim correctly.
- Proving your injury or occupational illness is work-related.
- Ensuring you receive temporary total disability or partial disability benefits if you are unable to work.
- Calculating your average weekly wage to secure the full amount of benefits.
- Negotiating with employers and insurance companies for a fair settlement.
- Representing you in hearings before the workers’ compensation board.
- Handling appeals if your claim is denied.
Our law firm offers a free consultation so you can discuss your work injury case without worrying about fees or expenses.
Common Work Injuries and Who They Affect
Workplace injuries can happen to anyone, but construction workers, healthcare employees, and factory laborers are often at higher risk. Common causes of workers’ compensation claims include:
- Slips, trips, and falls resulting in broken bones.
- Repetitive stress injuries caused by repeated motions.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals leading to occupational illness.
- Machinery accidents and equipment failures.
- Back and spinal injuries from heavy lifting.
- Head injuries caused by falling objects.
Whether your injury was sudden or developed over time, our comp attorneys can help workers navigate the compensation process and ensure you receive the workers’ comp benefits you deserve.
The Compensation Process and Benefits You May Receive
The workers’ compensation system provides benefits designed to help injured workers return to work and recover financially. Depending on your case, you may be eligible for:
- Workers’ comp benefits for lost wages.
- Disability benefits if you cannot return to your job.
- Medical expenses covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
- Vocational rehabilitation if you need to learn new skills to return to work.
- Death benefits for surviving family members of workers killed on the job.
Workers are entitled to receive compensation for medical treatment and wage replacement while unable to work. Our law firm is dedicated to helping injured workers get the benefits and compensation they deserve.
Contact Our Compensation Law Firm Today
If you’ve been hurt at work or suffered a work-related injury or illness, don’t face the workers’ compensation system alone. At Spears & Marinakis, LLC, we have decades of experience helping injured workers throughout Ohio. We are dedicated to ensuring every injured worker receives the compensation they need and the benefits they are entitled to under Ohio law.
Fill out our online form or give us a call at 740-532-6913 today for a free case evaluation. There are no fees or expenses unless we win. Take the first step toward the workers’ compensation you deserve—contact us now for your initial consultation.
Spears & Marinakis, LLC
122 S 4th St, Ironton, OH 45638
(740) 532-6913