If you are injured on the job and cannot work and provide for your family, you will need to claim workers’ compensation. However, workers’ compensation is never a guarantee, and you often need to fight to get it.
In Ohio, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is in charge of deciding eligibility for workers’ compensation. They consider several factors when making their decisions. Here are some of the reasons they might deny your workers’ compensation claim:
The BWC finds you were not injured at work
What qualifies as work can cause issues. For example, you work as a restaurant chef. You should be covered if injured while working or taking a break on the premises. If you get injured on your commute to or from work or when you head off-site during a break, you probably will not be. If, however, you are injured while driving to cook at an off-site event, you may be able to file a claim.
You failed to file your claim on time
There are specific time limits when it comes to the workers’ comp claim process. First, you must notify your employer of the injury as soon as possible. Second, you or your employer must file your claim within the time set by the state’s statute of limitations. Ideally, you will do it much sooner so you can get benefits faster. If the BWC denies your claim, you only have 14 days to appeal.
Workers’ compensation will be crucial if injured at work. Filing your claim correctly and following all necessary procedures makes you more likely to get the result you need.