The worker’s compensation system in Ohio is an adversarial system – that is, one in which the parties oppose one another. The injured worker’s concern is to receive all the benefits to which he or she is entitled to; such as payment of present and future medical bills, lost wages from work, and awards for any permanent injury. Employers are generally concerned about minimizing those benefits in order to reduce their premiums. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is also interested in saving money, which unfortunately can result in the system using its vast resources to closely scrutinize your claim for benefits.
In addition, if your employer is self insured (Usually employers with over 500 employees), they have elected not to pay premiums to the state fund and cover all claims. dollar for dollar. Needless to say they fight like hell to avoid paying.
Because of the adversarial nature of the worker’s compensation system, it is important for you to know your rights and benefits within this system. It is far better to have these rights explained to you by an attorney who is focused on your best interests, instead of relying upon the BWC or the employer’s representative to explain these rights to you. It is the role of your legal representative to be your advocate and aid you in successfully filing a claim through this complicated Workers’ Compensation system. If you think you would benefit from this assistance, contact Taubman Law for a free consultation. Also, if you need help to determine if you have a case or if you are not sure what to do, contact Taubman Law. This consultation is free and without obligation.
