If you have recently gotten hurt or sick on the job, you should start the process of filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits as soon as possible. While this page focuses on claims in Findlay, it’s important to understand that workers’ compensation rules and deadlines apply statewide throughout Ohio—regardless of where the injury occurred.
Depending on your unique circumstances and needs, the length of a Findlay workers’ compensation claim can vary greatly from initial filing to the last benefits payment. In every case, though, support from an experienced workers’ compensation attorney is key to streamlining the application process and ensuring you get the benefits you need.
It is crucial to notify employers of work-related injuries or illnesses in writing as soon as possible after discovering that harm has occurred, no matter how minor it may seem. Failing to do this can not only reduce the total amount of benefits available to the worker in the long run but can potentially lead to their workers’ compensation claim being dismissed outright by their employer and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
That said, there is a procedural difference between reporting a work-related medical condition to an employer and filing a First Report of Injury (FROI) form with the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The latter step is what actually starts the workers’ compensation claim process in earnest. According to Ohio state law, all claims—whether for injuries or occupational illnesses—must be filed within one year of the date of injury or diagnosis.
Waiting to file your claim is risky. The one-year statute of limitations is firm, and missing this deadline could bar you from receiving any benefits at all. That’s why it’s critical to file your claim—or consult with a qualified attorney—as soon as possible after your injury or diagnosis.
Workers’ compensation claimants in Ohio become eligible for temporary disability benefits once they have been unable to work for more than seven consecutive days due to their injury or illness. If they are unable to work for more than 14 consecutive days, they can retroactively receive benefits for the first seven missed days. Technically, there is no legally enforced maximum length of time that an injured worker in Findlay can continue to receive temporary or permanent disability benefits through a workers’ compensation claim.
However, the BWC will automatically cut off temporary total disability payments through workers’ compensation under certain conditions, such as:
It is important to note that Ohio workers’ compensation claims remain open for a period of five years after the last payment of disability or a medical bill. Thus, it is important to keep a claim open by continuing to seek medical treatment or by seeking disability payments in a claim.
A qualified workers’ compensation attorney can offer guidance about how long benefits are likely to be available for a particular claimant and what that claimant could do to potentially extend their benefits period.
A qualified workers’ compensation attorney can also offer guidance on how to keep a claim open and active to avoid having the claim go outside the five-year statute of limitations.
The length of a Findlay workers’ compensation claim rarely lasts only weeks or months. Even relatively minor injuries can require extended treatment or follow-up care that might be covered under an open claim. For that reason, leaving your claim open can be a smart way to maintain coverage for future medical needs.
Representation from a local workers’ compensation lawyer is essential to ensuring your claim has the best possible resolution. Call Schaffer & Associates today for a consultation.