If you’re injured at work, how do you file for workers’ compensation in Ohio?
When you or someone you know is injured on the job, you’re suddenly stuck with a lot on your plate beyond just the physical pain. One thing you must navigate is filing a workers’ compensation claim in Ohio.
This process can be challenging, but under their managed care program, BWC and the managed care organizations (MCOs) have made filing a claim a little easier over the years. Injured workers, employers and health-care providers should report an injury to their assigned MCO. If they choose, the injured worker may now report the injury directly to BWC through the Internet by submitting the First Report of Injury online to BWC. Before doing this, at Taubman Law we recommend consulting an attorney to make sure you’ve taken the proper steps.
Your doctor will take the necessary information and either submit the injury report electronically or fax a First Report of Injury, Occupational Disease or Death (FROI-1) form to the MCO within 24 hours.
Once you receive medical attention, if you haven’t already, let your employer know you’ve filed a claim. The BWC does offer some support throughout the claims process, although you still may have some questions and issues that need clarification. If you miss eight or more days of work, a BWC claims service specialist (CSS) will call you within one week of your claim being filed with your MCO. At Taubman Law, we always recommend you have a consultation with an experienced attorney during this process. Most serious workers’ comp attorneys offer the initial consultation at no charge.
There is a lot more to a workers’ comp claim than the initial filing, but these are the steps to get you started. Whether or not you choose to work with us, we are happy to talk you through the steps that follow. Please feel free to reach out to Bruce Taubman at brucetaubman[at]taubmanlaw.net or Brian Taubman at briantaubman[at]taubmanlaw.net.
