Multiple Workplace Injuries throughout Ohio last week
A Cleveland police officer suffered hearing loss and burns to his face after a gun was fired close to his head as he was arresting a burglary suspect, police said.
During the scuffle, the officer’s finger was bitten and another officer suffered cuts to his eye and hands while trying to subdue the suspects, according to a statement from the Cleveland Division of Police.
Both of these injured Cleveland officers can file a workers’ compensation claim to help protect any current and future medical problems they might encounter. For the officer who suffered hearing loss, the hearing loss needs to total in order to file a claim.
Unfortunately, many civil servant employees, such as police, firefighters and EMT use their union counsel to help them file for compensation in Ohio. Union attorneys are good at what they do for your union rights, but they are not workers’ compensation attorneys. If you are injured on the job, you should always get the services of a qualified workers’ compensation attorney to make sure you understand the full range of possibilities in front of you.
In fact, a current claim Taubman Law is handling involves a Cleveland Firefighter whose claim was originally handled by union attorneys. The claim was being contested for newly found conditions and was in a state of flux when we took over. As of today, the claim is allowed for two new conditions and the injured firefighter is awaiting surgery for these new conditions. After his successful surgery, we will get him paid Temporary Total Disability. At Taubman Law, we handle every claim as precisely and carefully as this one.
In other news in Ohio, last week an ODOT employee tragically lost his life when an overpass he was working on in Cincinnati fell on top of him. This is a truly sad story, and one can’t help but think of the family. What are the options for the deceased workers family? While it doesn’t solve the anguish, the injured family can file for death benefits to take some concern away. According to law, BWC can pay benefits and cover funeral expenses for surviving dependent(s) of a work-related death.
A dependent may be entitled to compensation between the date of injury and the date of death of an injured worker, as well as ongoing death benefits. BWC calculates the amount of compensation based upon the prior year’s earnings of the deceased.
Spouses and all dependent children receive those benefits on a biweekly basis. Spouses will continue to receive compensation until their death or remarriage. If the surviving spouse remarries, BWC will terminate benefits permanently and award a final payment equal to a two-year dowry.
I hope you’ve never had or will have to deal with this kind of tragedy, but if you lose a family member who is on the job, contact me, Bruce Taubman of Taubman Law. With over 35 years of practicing workers’ compensation and making law in the field, I know how to navigate the confusing roads of the Ohio Industrial Commission and help you get the compensation you deserve to help bring some measure of comfort to you during dark times.
At Taubman Law, we make Workers’ Comp Work For You! Let us help you get The compensation, treatment, and benefits you deserve. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
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This post was written by Bruce Taubman, an attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, who has been practicing plaintiff work for nearly 40 years. You can reach out to Bruce at brucetaubman[at]taubmanlaw.net.
