Workers' Compensation

Ohio Workers' Compensation

Ohio first enacted workers’ compensation legislation in 1912, and following many legislative changes, the original legislation has evolved into the modern workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation is a social engineering program intended to be a compromise between the interests of employers and employees. Before workers’ compensation statutes were enacted, the only remedy for an injured worker was to sue their employer or co-employee in the court system. This was both expensive and time consuming for both sides, and neither employers nor employees were satisfied.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. Exceptions aside, this generally means that an employee must only show that he/she has sustained an injury while working in order to file a claim. It is usually irrelevant as to who was at fault for causing the injury. However, only those medical conditions that are legally found to be the result of the industrial injury are compensable.

Employers are required to have workers’ compensation coverage by either paying into the state system or, if the employer is self-insured, by paying for claims directly.

If you are injured on the job, you should immediately report the injury to your employer and seek medical attention. You must file a claim within one year from the date of injury. If the claim is for an occupational disease or illness caused by occupational factors, then you must file a claim within one year after the disability due to the disease began, or within such longer period as does not exceed six months after diagnosis of the occupational disease by a licensed physician or within one year after death occurs. "Date of disability" is the most recent of the following: 1) when the condition was diagnosed; 2) the date you first received treatment for the condition; or 3) the date you quit work due to the disease.

Filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits can be very confusing, stressful, and time-consuming. If you choose to retain our services, we will thoroughly review your injury, give you honest information, and help you get the treatment and benefits to which you are entitled.

CONTACT US

  • Office Locations:

    Ironton, OH Office

    122 S. 4th Street Ironton, OH 45638
    Tel: 740-532-6913  Fax: 740-532-5816

    Portsmouth, Ohio Office

    1625 Offnere Street P.O. Box 1222 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
    Tel: 740-353-1540  Fax: 740-353-6450 

    Waverly, Ohio Office

    301 E. Emmitt Avenue Waverly, OH 45690
    Tel: 740-286-1540  Fax: 740-286-6383