Workers' Compensation Attorney in Cincinnati

Each year, many employees in Cincinnati are hurt while on the job. When you or someone you know has been injured while working, you may be owed compensation for your losses. 

Every workplace accident is unique. But most injured employees have the option to pursue workers' compensation benefit payments. 

Pursuing workers’ comp in Cincinnati can help you cover the costs and losses associated with your accident. It is vital to speak with a trustworthy personal injury attorney following a workplace injury. 

Workplace accidents often result in skyrocketing medical bills, missed workdays, and other financial challenges. Victims should not have to pay for the expenses that result from an on-the-job injury.  

When you need to apply for workers’ comp in Cincinnati, contact one of the compassionate lawyers at the firm of Morgan & Morgan. Our legal experts can ensure that your application is properly completed. This will give you the highest likelihood of recovering the benefits that you are rightfully owed. 

If your application is wrongfully denied, our accomplished workers’ comp attorneys will help you appeal the decision. Appealing for workers’ comp in Cincinnati is a very complex process. 

Let the skilled injury lawyers at Morgan & Morgan help you get the earned benefits you deserve. To arrange a free legal consultation, complete the form on our firm’s website today.

Understanding Workers’ Comp in Cincinnati

The laws surrounding workers’ compensation claims are highly complex and vary by state. Because of this, it is important to speak with an experienced legal professional regarding your claim. 

The state of Ohio handles workers’ comp claims in a unique way. 

Private companies and other employers purchase workers’ compensation insurance in most states. This makes workers’ compensation claims function similarly to other personal injury cases. The injured employee seeks compensation, may negotiate a settlement, and resolve the issue. 

Claims for workers’ comp in Cincinnati function differently. In Ohio, there is a state insurance fund through which workers’ compensation claims are settled. 

This state fund is constitutionally-established and is called the “Bureau of Workers’ Compensation” (BWC). Most Ohio-based corporations pay insurance premiums to the BWC. This allows them to have workers’ compensation coverage.  

For state-funded employers, the BWC oversees workers’ compensation claims in Cincinnati. Some large corporate entities do not handle these claims through the BWC. Examples include: 

• Children’s Hospital
• Navistar
• Worthington Industries
• Staffmark
• And more 

These businesses are still required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Rather than paying into the BWC, these companies are required to purchase private workers’ comp coverage. 

No matter who you are working for at the time of your injury, it is critical to speak with a legal expert regarding your claim. Workers’ compensation cases can require significant resources and time. Having a legal professional represent your interests will give you the best chance of securing a positive outcome. 

Like other states, Ohio workers’ comp cases operate on a “no-fault” approach. This means that injured employees can pursue a claim for benefits regardless of fault for the accident. 

Victims do not need to prove that their employer was negligent or responsible for their injuries. Even if the injured employee is at fault for the damage they sustained, they can pursue a workers’ compensation claim.

Qualifications to File for Workers’ Comp in Cincinnati

Following an on-the-job injury, it is normal to be uncertain about what steps to take. For help filing for the benefits you deserve, speak with one of the trusted litigants at Morgan & Morgan. 

Following a work-related injury or illness, the first step is to report the incident to your employer. Make sure to report the accident in writing and get a notification of receipt. 

Follow your employer’s protocol for reporting the on-the-job injury or illness. You may need to fill out forms and paperwork detailing the nature of your accident.  

Make sure to retain copies of any paperwork related to your claim. It is also a good idea to take detailed notes regarding your own experience. 

After reporting the incident, seek medical care. Your highest priority should be your physical well-being and health. In some cases, employees are required to get a medical assessment from a provider chosen by the employer.  

To file a claim with the BWC, you will need to complete a form called “First Report of Injury” (FROI). This form can be mailed to the BWC or submitted online.  

Injury victims also need to fill out an authorization form to release their medical records. This will ensure that your claim receives the proper consideration. 

The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan are thoroughly familiar with the process for workers’ comp in Cincinnati. We will happily review the facts of your case and help you pursue the money you deserve. 

It is important to file for workers’ compensation benefits as soon as possible following your accident. According to Ohio state law, injury victims must file their application within a year to recover compensation.

Receiving Your Workers’ Compensation Decision

After you have completed the application process for benefits, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will deliver their decision within 28 days. Hopefully, you will be awarded the benefits to which you are entitled. 

Unfortunately, many injured Cincinnati workers face a denial of their claims. Some of the most common reasons for denied workers’ compensation claims include: 

• The application lacks required information
• Discrepancies in the application paperwork
• The employer was not notified of the injury in time
• There is a lack of witnesses to the accident
• The victim failed to adhere to medical guidance
• And more 

While some application denials are inevitable, many are due to avoidable application mistakes. Having a legal professional oversee the application process will help you to prevent needless application errors.

If your application is wrongfully denied, speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Applicants must appeal the BWC’s decision within 14 days. Failing to appeal within the 14-day time limit will cause you to forego the workers’ compensation payments that are rightfully yours.

Types of Compensation in Ohio Workers’ Compensation Claims

Injury victims often sustain more financial losses than they initially anticipate. Unlike a standard personal injury settlement, workers’ compensation benefits are not intended to cover every cost and loss associated with your on-the-job accident. 

Workers’ compensation payments are intended to cover your medical treatment costs. These benefits also cover a portion of the wages that you forego from missing work. 

Workplace injuries often result in intangible damages that exceed the victim’s medical bills and lost income. However, workers’ comp in Cincinnati is not intended to cover non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include harm that is not monetary, such as: 

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional harm and distress
• Embarrassment
• Anxiety and depression
• Decreased quality of life
• And more 

Although workers’ compensation benefits do not cover these non-economic damages, there are other options for compensation. If your injury caused significant physical suffering or mental distress, you might be able to seek disability benefits in Ohio.  

Disability benefits may cover harm associated with:

Psychological Conditions

Documented instances of stress, anxiety, or depression related to your on-the-job injury or illness may make you eligible for further compensation. When you speak with one of the accomplished litigants at Morgan & Morgan, we will explore every option for financial recovery in your case.

Permanent Partial Disability

You may qualify for permanent partial disability if your injury results in pain that prevents you from working. If you continue to experience debilitating pain and suffering after healing, you may be eligible for this type of compensation.  

Consulting a knowledgeable legal representative will ensure that you exhaust every option to get the financial compensation that you deserve. The attorneys at the firm of Morgan & Morgan boast decades of experience representing victims in workplace injury cases.