Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

In Ohio, workers' compensation is a state-mandated program that provides compensation to employees who have suffered a workplace injury or illness. It serves as a safety net, offering benefits that cover medical expenses and a portion of lost income incurred due to the inability to work following the injury.

The system is based on a mutual understanding between employers and employees: employees receive workers’ compensation without the need to prove fault or negligence on the part of the employer, and in return, they generally forfeit the right to sue the employer for damages related to the injury. This helps employees get necessary financial assistance quickly, allowing them to focus on recovery and return to work while employers are protected from costly legal battles.

Workers’ compensation provides support after a workplace accident or acquired illness that prevents you from returning to work as expected. Workers' compensation claims involving an occupational illness or sudden injury may allow you to receive disability benefits, lost wages, and medical care tied directly to the on-the-job injury. Ohio’s system also helps cover medical benefits, including medications, physical therapy, and medical equipment required during treatment or recovery. These protections are designed to give injured workers the resources they need to stay stable while they heal.

Here’s what to do when injured at work in Ohio: 

1. Report the injury to your supervisor or a representative of your employer.
2. Complete a written accident report.
3. Seek medical treatment immediately.
4. Tell the doctor how you were injured and that the injury occurred at work. (You can use your own doctor after a workplace injury as long as the doctor is an Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), certified provider.)
5. Reach out to an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney to protect your rights and learn more about your options.

A workers’ compensation claim begins when you complete a First Report of Injury (FROI) and submit it to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation or to your MCO. MCO stands for Managed Care Organization, a group that helps coordinate medical treatment throughout your claim. You can also file a claim online at info.bwc.ohio.gov. 

Injured workers, employers, medical providers, managed care organizations, and workers’ compensation lawyers can all file a First Report of Injury to initiate the workers’ compensation process.

If you received an injury in the course or arising out of your employment, you should have a workers' comp claim. This may be anything from a slip and fall accident at your workplace, an overexertion or repetitive motion injury, or even a work-related car accident.

If you are still unsure, your best option is to contact a Cincinnati workers' compensation attorney to determine whether or not you have a workers' comp claim.

The Ohio BWC reviews each claim and makes the initial decision to allow or deny workers’ compensation benefits. A BWC claims specialist contacts you and your employer to discuss the circumstances of your injury and confirm key details. The BWC also requests medical records from the providers who treated you for your work injury so they can evaluate your condition accurately. 

Under Ohio law, the BWC must issue a written decision within 28 days, giving you a clear answer on whether your claim has been approved or denied.

1. Once you receive the BWC decision, you have 14 days to file an appeal and request a hearing before a District Hearing Officer of the Industrial Commission. 
2. A DHO hearing will be scheduled within 45 days of filing the appeal. 
3. The District Hearing Officer will issue a written decision within 7 days and send a copy to the injured worker, employer, BWC, and the attorneys for all parties. 
4. Once you receive the District Hearing Officer’s decision, you have 14 days to file an appeal and request a second hearing before a Staff Hearing Officer of the Industrial Commission. 
5. A hearing before a Staff Hearing Officer will be scheduled within 45 days of filing the appeal to the District Hearing Officer’s decision. 
6. If you disagree with the Staff Hearing Officer’s decision, you have 14 days to file an appeal to the full Industrial Commission. 
7. After reviewing the facts of the workers' comp appeal, the Industrial Commission will issue a decision either agreeing or refusing to hear the appeal. In some cases, either party may file an appeal in the Common Pleas Court to contest the Industrial Commission decision. 
8. A Notice of Appeal must be filed in Common Pleas Court within 60 days of receipt of the Industrial Commission order.

To learn more about the ins and outs of the appeals process, schedule a meeting with Cincinnati workers comp appeal lawyer Mark L. Newman today.

A hearing before the Industrial Commission is informal and takes place in a small hearing room with only a few people present. A hearing can last anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the issue. 

There are two levels of hearing: District Hearing Officer and Staff Hearing Officer. The types of issues presented before the Industrial Commission include disputes regarding:

• Initial allowance of the claim
• Additional allowance requests
• Medical treatment requests
• Temporary total compensation
• Permanent partial disability compensation

Because this is an administrative hearing, the formal rules of evidence do not apply. Both parties and their representatives will have an opportunity to present their position and present medical evidence. It is important to understand the issue so you are properly prepared for the hearing. Cincinnati workers’ compensation lawyer Mark L. Newman can help you prepare for your Industrial Commission hearing.

Once your claim is allowed, every provider who treated you for your work injury should submit bills directly to your Managed Care Organization. Workers’ compensation covers the cost of hospital stays, follow-up doctor visits, physical therapy, and other forms of medical attention related to the injury. The MCO reviews each bill and then forwards it to the Ohio BWC for payment. If you ever receive a bill yourself, tell the provider that the treatment was for a work injury and request that they send it to your MCO. You can find the name, address, and phone number of your MCO on the injured worker ID card issued by the Ohio BWC.

If the pharmacy submitted the bill to the Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) when dispensing the prescription, you will be reimbursed when the claim is allowed. If you paid cash for your prescription and the bill was not sent to the PBM, you will need your pharmacist to complete a BWC Outpatient Medical Invoice (C-17) to get reimbursed.

There are many different types of workers’ compensation benefits in Ohio. These include:

• Temporary Total Disability Benefits: Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits support injured workers who cannot return to their job duties for a period of time due to a work-related injury. Payments continue until your doctor confirms you can resume work in some capacity.
• Wage Loss Compensation in Ohio: Wage loss covers the difference when a work injury forces you into lower-paying job duties or reduced hours. It helps replace part of the income lost while you adjust to new restrictions.
• Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits apply when an injury causes lasting impairment, but you can still work. The amount is based on the percentage of permanent damage documented by your medical providers.
• Permanent Total Disability Benefits: Permanent total disability, or PTD, provides long-term financial support to workers whose injuries are severe enough that returning to the workforce is not realistic and they can no longer perform sustained employment.
• Scheduled Loss Awards/Loss of Use Benefits: These awards compensate workers who lose the full or partial use of a specific body part, such as a hand, foot, or eye. Ohio law assigns a set payment schedule for these injuries.
• Ohio Workers’ Comp Death Benefits: Death benefits support dependents when a worker dies as a result of a workplace accident or occupational illness. Payments may include funeral expenses and ongoing financial assistance to eligible family members.
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Living Maintenance: This program helps injured workers return to suitable employment through retraining, job placement support, and workplace skill development. Living Maintenance provides income during approved rehabilitation services.

Whether you have relatively minor injuries or catastrophic, life-changing ones, if it prevents you from working or results in medical bills, an Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer can help you pursue the full benefits you’re entitled to. Attorney Newman is ready to answer your questions and help you make important decisions. You’ll feel confident in knowing the current status of your claim and when you can expect to receive your benefits.

A lump sum settlement may be a practical option depending on the type of injury or occupational disease you suffered. When evaluating Ohio BWC settlement amounts, you need to consider future medical needs, ongoing work restrictions, and how the settlement will affect your long-term financial stability. Each case requires a careful review of both current and expected costs. Contact our Cincinnati law firm to discuss your situation and learn whether a workers’ compensation settlement aligns with your goals.

The workers’ compensation process in Ohio works differently than in other states, and having experienced attorneys on your side can make a measurable difference. A Cincinnati work accident lawyer such as Mark L. Newman guides injured workers through each step, explains what to expect, and helps organize the evidence needed to support your claim. This includes medical records, witness statements, and documentation showing how and where the injury occurred.

An attorney also protects your interests when dealing with insurance adjusters, ensuring you do not accept less than you deserve. In cases involving a negligent third party, your lawyer can determine whether a separate personal injury claim may help you recover compensation beyond workers’ comp benefits. When you need focused support from a Cincinnati injury attorney, our law firm provides the guidance required to move your case forward with confidence.