Nowadays, it is common for many workers to cross state borders in search of work. Most of them do so in the hope of making a better living than they can in their home state. While they may receive a better opportunity in a different state, they remain exposed to various workplace hazards, regardless of whether they are working in their home state or in another state.
Per Ohio’s workers’ compensation laws, out-of-state workers are eligible for workers’ compensation in the event of an injury or illness if they have sufficient contacts with the state of Ohio. To determine whether a person has sufficient contacts, several factors will be considered.
First, the location where the employment contract is made is examined. The next issue for consideration is the location of the employer and the location of the actions of that employer within the state of Ohio. In addition to these two, there are other issues that the courts take into account when determining whether a worker claiming compensation has sufficient contacts with the state.
Often, an employer may want a worker to file a claim in a state that pays lower workers’ compensation benefits than Ohio, feigning to be acting in the best interests of the worker. It is, however, a worker’s right to decide where they file their claim. Remember that workers’ compensation claims in another state limit the chances of obtaining benefits in Ohio. For this reason, it is often advised to avoid applying for workers’ compensation in other states if a worker plans to claim benefits in Ohio.
If you feel that the situations described here are similar to your current situation, you may visit our firm’s website for more information on workers’ compensation claims. With decades of experience in handling workers’ compensation claims, the lawyers at Philip J. Fulton Law Office may prove to be a wise bet for those out-of-state workers who want to claim workers’ compensation benefits in Ohio.