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What Are the Types of Workers’ Comp Claims?
If you suffered injuries at work in Ohio, or a loved one died in a work accident, you could be entitled to various workers’ compensation benefits. In general, there are several types of workers’ compensation claims, including:
- Medical treatment only
- Medical treatments and lost work time
- Medical treatment and inability to return to the previous job
- Medical treatment and inability to return to any type of work
- Death benefits for survivors
Ohio’s workers’ compensation system can be extremely complex and confusing. If you or a loved one got hurt at work, there can be a number of benefits and compensation that you are entitled to. Schaffer & Associates, LPA, your experienced work injury lawyer, can help you get the medical treatments and compensation you need and deserve for your work injury or illness.
What Kinds of Benefits and Compensation Can Toledo, OH Workers Receive?
According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), an injured worker may be able to qualify for different types of compensation. Workers can also claim benefits even if they have not lost income as a result of their injury. The different types of compensation available to those injured at work in Ohio can include but are not limited to:
Temporary Total Disability (TT)
TT benefits are designed to compensate a worker whose injury totally disables them from work for a certain time period. TT benefits generally encompass lost wages.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
Permanent total disability can be awarded to workers who are unable to perform any job after a serious work injury or illness. PTD benefits are generally payable to the individual for the rest of their life.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
An employee can receive an award for any permanent impairment resulting from the injury. While Ohio workers’ compensation law does not award pain and suffering, a PPD award is a claim for monetary damages due to the injury.
Scheduled Loss
An injured worker can receive a scheduled loss award if they lost a limb due to amputation, lost a sense such as vision or hearing, or suffered other comparable injuries.
Facial Disfigurement
An employee whose work injuries include serious facial disfigurement could be entitled to a one-time award, especially if their disfigurement hinders them from finding or retaining another job.
Depending on your individual claim, you could be entitled to a range of other benefits including re-training and occupational benefits. A workers’ comp lawyer can advise you comprehensively on what could be due to you.
Full and Final Settlement (FFS)
Full and Final Settlement is a cash payment for closing your workers’ comp claim in lieu of seeking additional compensation and medical treatment in the claim.
How Do I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Ohio?
If you suffered injuries at work, you would need to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) in order to receive benefits. The Bureau generally classifies two categories of claims:
- Medical only
- Lost work time
Medical-only claims apply when a worker has only missed seven or fewer days of work due to their work injury or illness. Lost work time claims, on the other hand, typically deal with those workers who have missed eight days or more due to a work-related injury. Surviving family members may also be entitled to benefits if a worker dies due to a work-related injury. An experienced and dedicated workers’ comp attorney can help you understand how to file a claim and recover the benefits you deserve.
In Ohio, various entities can file a worker’s compensation claim, including:
The Doctor Treating the Injury
A doctor filing the claim will have to submit it to BWC or a “managed care organization” (a company managing work-related injury treatment) within 24 hours of a worker’s visit. The injured worker will typically receive a notification from BWC within a few days of the agency receiving the claim form.
The Injured Worker or Other Interested Party
The injured individual, their employer, or their spouse can potentially file a workers’ comp claim. In order to submit a claim, they can do so online by filling in a First Report of Injury, Occupational Disease or Death (FROI) and submitting the form to BWC via fax or mail. Alternatively, claimants can call a local BWC office and speak to a customer service representative in order to complete the report over the phone.
It is important to note that claims must be filed in a timely manner as there is generally a one-year deadline for filing workers’ comp claims in Ohio.
Workers’ comp claims can seem overwhelming to those injured and their families. Moreover, making any mistakes or missing a deadline during the application process can lead to delays or outright denials of benefits, potentially resulting in financial hardship for families. Schaffer & Associates, LPA, your workers’ compensation lawyer, is here to help you during a difficult and stressful time. We are committed to helping injured workers and their families get what they deserve as fast as possible.
FAQ: Do I have a Workers’ Compensation Case? Read Here.
Contact Toledo’s Schaffer & Associates for Help Navigating Types of Workers’ Comp Claims
Getting seriously injured at work can change an individual’s entire life in one split second. They may suffer from permanent and disabling injuries that could prevent them from returning to their job as well as severely reduce their overall life enjoyment.
While workers’ compensation benefits are generally available for employees and their families, the process of recovering compensation can be complex and frustrating. In the worst-case scenario, benefits could be denied due to some technicality or mistake on a form.
Not knowing how to pay your bills in addition to dealing with a painful and perhaps emotionally distressing injury can be devastating. However, help is available. You do not have to go through a frustrating workers’ comp claim process on your own and we can help you navigate the types of workers’ comp claims. Our team of dedicated and experienced work injury attorneys is committed to helping workers and their families receive the benefits that they need and deserve. Contact Schaffer & Associates, LPA today for a free, no-obligation consultation: 419-350-8277.
