Workers’ compensation benefits are an important protection injured workers have against the mounting harm that may result after they suffer a workplace injury. Workers’ compensation benefits can help injured workers ad their families offset some of the physical, financial and emotional challenges and losses associated with an injury that occurs on-the-job.
In our state, workers’ compensation benefits can help injured workers and their families with the medical care they need including hospital care, doctor visits and medication; wage loss benefits; temporary total disability for when the injured worker is totally disabled and unable to work for a temporary period of time; permanent partial disability for when the injured worker is permanently partially disabled, even if they can return to some other type of work; and permanent total disability if the injured worker is completely disabled and unable to work. Death benefits may also be available for surviving family members following a fatal workplace accident.
Injured workers have 2 years to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Once a claim has been filed, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has 28 days to respond to the claim. If the claim is denied, the injured worker has 14 days to appeal the denial of the claim for benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits can be benefits that injured worker and their family desperately needs.
Because of how important workers’ compensation benefits are for injured workers and their families, and because of the timelines associated with filing a workers’ compensation claim for benefits, it is helpful for injured workers to thoroughly understand the process of bringing a claim for benefits. Injured workers should understand the steps to take after they have been injured on-the-job.