Filing a Worker’s Compensation Claim in Ohio:

If you are injured on the job, you should first report the injury to your employer, ideally in writing, maintaining a copy for your records. Any delay could impair your ability to receive benefits. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

You must complete a claim form given to you by your employer or your doctor. The employer must provide you with a claim form and you must complete this document completely and specifically in order to receive benefits.

File the claim as soon as possible since any delay on your part could lead to potential snags or holdups in receiving benefits. Immediately reporting injuries and filing a claim as soon as you decide to seek compensation increases the likelihood that benefits will begin quickly. Maintain a copy of the form for your records and provide a copy of the claim form to your employer and your doctor.

Submit the form to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation for processing.

Employee makes the initial choice of physician.

Ohio Worker’s Compensation Benefits:
Initial choice of physician is made by the employee.

After the employee has received temporary total disability compensation for ninety days, the employee must be examined by the Bureau of Worker's Compensation Medical Section to determine eligibility for continuation of compensation and the appropriateness of medical treatment being provided.

Payments are made for temporary total disability (TTD) in an amount determined by a percentage of the worker's wage, subject to a weekly maximum payment amount. Payments continue for the duration of the disability. Benefits are subject to offsets for Social Security benefits and, if concurrent and/or duplicate, for benefits received under an employer non-occupational benefit plan.

Payments are made for permanent total disability (PTD) based upon a percentage of the worker's wage, subject to a weekly maximum payment amount. Payments for PTD may continue for life. Benefits are subject to offset for Social Security benefits.

Payments for permanent partial disability (PPD) are made based upon a schedule of injuries, with compensation for unscheduled injuries limited to one third of the state's average weekly wage, for a portion of 200 weeks. Payments for PPD continue for the duration of the disability.

Scheduled awards are paid in addition to total temporary disability benefits starting directly after the accident. Scheduled awards are not reduced because of receipt of TTD benefits.

Benefits may be available for serious disfigurement of the face or head which handicaps employment.

Physical and vocational rehabilitation benefits are available.

With certain constraints and filing deadlines, occupational hearing losses may be compensable.

Death benefits are payable to an employee's surviving spouse, or spouse and children, based upon a percentage of the employee's wages, subject to a cap. A minimum benefit is provided regardless of the employee's earnings. A burial allowance is available.

Ohio Worker’s Compensation Waiting Period:
The waiting period for compensation benefits after the injury is 7 days.

Compensation is retroactive if disability continues for 2 weeks from the date of injury.

Ohio Worker’s Compensation Contact Information:
Marsha P. Ryan, Administrator
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
30 West Spring Street
Columbus, OH 43215-2256
 1-800-644-6292  1-800-644-6292
(Contact Norma J. Scott)

NOTICE: These questions and answers concern Ohio law only, and should not be construed nor relied upon as reflecting the law in other States, nor as giving legal advice. You are warned that circumstances often vary greatly and that, due to changing decisions and law, the answers to these questions may change over time and not be current, and you should consult an attorney in any specific case, and NOT rely on these questions and answers as giving anything other than general information.