Mileage Reimbursement in a Toledo Workers’ Compensation Case

After being hurt on the job, your focus is likely on your medical treatment and your lost wages. Travel costs may be the last thing on your mind. But mileage reimbursement in a Toledo workers’ compensation case is a real benefit under Ohio law, and one that injured workers too often overlook. If you are driving to and from medical appointments related to your work injury, you may be entitled to compensation for those trips.

At Schaffer & Associates, our workers’ comp attorneys help injured workers in Toledo and the surrounding area pursue every benefit they are owed under the Ohio workers’ compensation system. That includes making sure travel reimbursement is not left on the table. We are a local firm (all of our attorneys were born and raised in northwest Ohio), and we know this system inside and out.

What Does Ohio’s Mileage Reimbursement Benefit Cover?

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) provides travel reimbursement to injured workers who must travel for medical care related to their allowed claim. Toledo workers’ compensation travel reimbursement covers more than just mileage in some situations. Here is what the BWC can reimburse:

• Mileage to medical appointments: You can receive mileage reimbursement when your round-trip travel to see a BWC physician or attend a medical exam exceeds 45 miles. Reimbursement rates are updated periodically, and current information can be found on the BWC’s website.
• Other transportation costs: If you use a taxi, bus, or other special transportation because your injury requires it, you may be reimbursed without meeting the 45-mile minimum.
• Meals and lodging: When your travel extends beyond 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you can also be reimbursed for meals and lodging at established BWC rates.
• Employer-requested exams: If your employer asks you to see a physician of their choosing, there is no mileage minimum. Your employer is responsible for those travel costs.

To request reimbursement, you will complete Form C-60 and reference Form C-60A for the current rates. If you have a self-insured employer, the process differs, and your employer bears responsibility for most eligible travel costs. Be aware that there is a filing deadline, and you must submit your reimbursement request within two years of the date of travel.

How To Protect Your Right to Mileage Reimbursement in a Workers’ Comp Case

As with all parts of a workers’ comp claim, knowing the details and following the rules are critical. Mileage reimbursement for Toledo workers’ compensation claims can be denied if documentation is incomplete or if a dispute arises over whether closer medical options were available. Here is how to protect your claim:

Keep a Contemporaneous Mileage Log

Record each trip at the time you travel. Include the date, your starting location, your destination, the round-trip mileage, and the purpose of the trip.

Save all Related Receipts

If you incur costs for parking, tolls, meals, or lodging, keep your receipts, as these are required for reimbursement beyond mileage.

Submit the Correct Forms on Time

Use Form C-60 to request reimbursement and note that travel exceeding 400 miles round-trip must be pre-authorized by the BWC.

Respond to Denials Promptly

Common denial reasons include claims that a closer provider was available or that documentation was insufficient. You have the right to appeal.

Having a knowledgeable local attorney in your corner can make a meaningful difference. We can help you document your travel properly from the start and challenge denials that are not justified.

Let Our Toledo Attorneys Help You Get the Mileage Reimbursement You Are Owed

Travel costs can add up quickly when you are attending ongoing medical appointments after a workplace injury. Mileage reimbursement in a Toledo workers’ compensation case is a legitimate part of the benefits you are entitled to receive, and you should not have to navigate the process alone.

Schaffer & Associates is here to help injured workers in Toledo and the surrounding area pursue the full range of workers’ compensation benefits available to them. Our work starts with a free consultation, so contact us today to learn more about how our team can help you.