Injuries that occur in the workplace are fairly common. That is why a workers’ compensation system is set up in Ohio. Construction workers, industrial workers and railroad workers are just some of the individuals who face the potential for serious injuries on a daily basis at their jobs. However, when a workplace injury does occur, Ohio residents need to be aware of some important timeframes in the workers’ compensation system.
For starters, the workplace injury should be reported to the worker’s employer as soon as possible. This will start the process, as the employer will report the injury to the workers’ compensation system while the injured worker files a claim. Waiting too long to notify an employer of an injury or waiting too long to file a claim with the workers’ compensation system can both result in a denial of the claim.
Besides injuries, workers in Ohio can be exposed to the possibility of occupational illnesses as well. It is harder to determine when an illness began than it is to determine the date of a physical injury. For workers who are making a claim based on an occupational illness, a variety of important timeframes come into the picture. The claim must be filed within two years of the beginning of the illness and within six months of the date on which the diagnosis of the illness was made by a doctor.
The workers’ compensation system can seem confusing for workers in Ohio. Injured or ill workers may be better off getting further legal information about their specific situation.
Source: bwc.ohio.gov, “Injured worker questions and answers (Q&A),” accessed March 18, 2018