We Literally Wrote The Book On
Ohio Workers’ Compensation

Whether you are the victim of a workplace injury or disabilities, we can help you get the benefits you deserve.

Helping Injured Workers Obtain The Workers’ Compensation Benefits They Deserve

Have you or someone you love been injured in a workplace accident? Do you need assistance getting the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to? Our workers’ compensation attorneys at Philip J. Fulton Law Office have been helping people like you since 1980. You can be confident in our ability to get you the results you deserve.

Our lawyers have a reputation for getting results in even the most difficult workplace accident cases. In fact, many of our peers refer challenging cases to us for this very reason. We are eager to overcome all obstacles to get fair compensation for injured workers.

Comprehensive Legal Guidance When You Need It Most

For more than 35 years, attorney Philip J. Fulton has been helping injured workers obtain the benefits they need and deserve. In fact, he literally wrote the book on workers’ comp in Ohio ― authoring the well-known treatise on workers’ compensation, “Ohio Workers Compensation Law.”

Quite simply, we have the experience to handle any workers’ compensation case. Our workers’ compensation lawyers can answer any questions you may have, including questions related to:

Navigating The Claims Process

Working with an experienced attorney provides essential guidance through each stage of your workers’ compensation claim. Your lawyer will protect your rights when dealing with your employer’s compensation insurance carrier. The process begins with reporting your job-related injury to your employer and seeking immediate medical attention from approved medical providers.

Your attorney will coordinate required medical exams and document how your injuries affect your ability to work. They will work alongside your medical providers to support a treatment plan that may include physical therapy or other necessary rehabilitation services. Throughout this process, your lawyer will communicate with the insurance company to advocate for your interests and obtain appropriate medical benefits. A detailed understanding of workplace safety regulations and reporting requirements strengthens your claim from the beginning.

Types Of Benefits Available

Understanding the full scope of workers’ compensation benefits is critical for injured workers seeking support during their recovery period. The Ohio workers’ compensation system provides multiple forms of assistance, and knowing your rights helps you access the full range of benefits available. Our law firm has extensive experience helping workers obtain these essential benefits under compensation law. Your ability to work, severity of injury and long-term prognosis all factor into determining which benefits apply to your situation. The main categories include:

● Medical benefits that cover all necessary treatment costs, including hospital stays, surgical procedures, prescription medications and ongoing rehabilitation programs for both immediate and long-term care needs
● Wage-loss benefits replacing lost income during your recovery period, calculated based on your previous earnings and the extent of your disability, with considerations for both temporary and permanent wage losses
● Death benefits for surviving family members, which include funeral expenses and continuing financial support for dependents who relied on the deceased worker’s income, along with provisions for educational benefits for dependent children
● Compensation for permanent disability or permanent impairment that provides long-term financial support when injuries result in lasting limitations, taking into account both physical restrictions and impact on earning capacity
● Vocational rehabilitation services including job training, education and placement assistance for workers who cannot return to their previous positions, with comprehensive support throughout the transition to new employment

Your weekly wages determine the amount of compensation available to you. In cases of partial disability, you might return to modified job duties while receiving benefits.

Distinctions Between Workers’ Compensation Claims And Personal Injury Lawsuits

Workers’ compensation provides different benefits than personal injury cases. Unlike personal injury lawsuits, workers’ compensation does not allow punitive damages. However, it provides benefits without requiring proof that your employer was at fault. This no-fault system streamlines the process of receiving compensation while protecting employers from litigation.

This system serves as the primary remedy against employers for job injuries. Your insurance company typically handles all medical costs and wage replacement according to state regulations. Third-party claims remain possible when someone other than your employer contributed to your injury. Understanding these distinctions helps workers navigate their legal options effectively.

Common Workplace Injuries

The range of injuries covered by workers’ compensation is extensive, and understanding the various types helps workers recognize when they may have a valid claim. Our attorneys represent workers dealing with numerous workplace injuries and conditions, including:

● Broken bones from workplace accidents, which often occur from falls, equipment malfunctions or accidents involving heavy machinery, requiring immediate medical intervention and often resulting in significant recovery periods
● Traumatic brain injury cases that require long-term care, rehabilitation and extensive medical treatment to address both immediate and long-term effects, including cognitive, physical and emotional challenges
● Carpal tunnel syndrome and related repetitive motion injuries, which develop over time from repeated workplace tasks and can significantly impact your ability to perform your job, often requiring surgical intervention and workplace modifications
● Various forms of occupational disease resulting from exposure to harmful substances, extreme temperatures or dangerous working conditions, which may take years to manifest and require ongoing medical monitoring

Each injury presents distinct challenges when determining permanent disability status or the need for vocational rehabilitation. We collaborate with medical professionals to document your condition thoroughly, helping you receive appropriate compensation for your workplace injury or illness. Our track record shows consistent results in obtaining fair compensation for clients facing serious workplace injuries and occupational health conditions.

Consult A Columbus Workers’ Comp Attorney For Free

Our services are available on a contingency fee basis, which means we ask for payment only if we are successful in getting you the benefits you need.

To learn more, call 614-963-9569 or send us an email to discuss your case with one of our Columbus workers’ compensation attorneys. We help clients who have been injured in the workplace throughout Ohio.

Ohio Workers’ Compensation: Answers To Common Questions

Philip J. Fulton Law Office invites you to explore our website as you seek answers to your questions about workers’ compensation in Ohio. For more personalized answers, feel free to contact us. Initial consultations are always free. Meanwhile, here, we offer a sampling of questions and answers that we have discussed with many clients.

Why should I call a workers’ compensation attorney?

Navigating a workers’ compensation claim on your own can be next to impossible if you have no legal experience. Workers’ compensation claims in Ohio are largely governed by one statute, the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4123.

This area of law is very nuanced, and it only takes a slight misstep to derail your claim. For instance, there are strict deadlines. Claims must be filed within one year of the date of your injury or when you first discovered that you were suffering from a work-related illness.

Another good reason to call a workers’ compensation attorney is because you need to have someone fighting for your best interests. While your employer and the insurer may seem cooperative, they will have legal representation behind them to protect their interests. Having your own representation evens the playing field and helps ensure that you receive the benefits you are entitled to.

How do I file a workers’ compensation claim?

It is generally a good idea to start documenting the details of your injury as soon as possible. It’s also advisable to report your injury to your employer in writing. The more evidence you have to show that your injury was work-related, the more likely the chances of success in your claim.

The next step is to seek a proper medical evaluation. In emergency scenarios, you should see the first available medical practitioner. However, the BWC has a list of approved medical providers that will also need to evaluate your injury. Medical records are crucial to workers’ compensation claims, and this step cannot be overlooked.

All workers’ compensation claims in Ohio are filed through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Your claim officially begins when you file a First Report Of Injury (FROI) form with the BWC. In some cases, the employer does this on behalf of the worker, but it is something that should always be double-checked. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help make sure everything is completed correctly.

Can I sue my employer after a workplace injury?

No. Workers’ compensation takes the place of any opportunity for lawsuits against employers. It is designed to ensure that injured workers receive appropriate medical care after on-the-job injuries without tying up the courts and resources with lengthy litigation. On the other hand, sometimes a workplace injury results in an opportunity for a lawsuit against a third party such as a manufacturer or subcontractor.

What is third-party liability?

This phrase refers to the legal situation when someone other than an injured worker’s employer is responsible for an on-the-job injury. A detailed investigation into the circumstances behind a workplace injury may uncover a responsible third party such as a tool manufacturer or a property owner.

Can I receive workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits at the same time?

Yes, if you qualify for both. The two programs are completely separate and have different criteria. Dollar amounts of your benefits may be affected if you are receiving both. For more details appropriate to your case, talk to one of our disability attorneys.

What if I settle my workers’ compensation claim? Will this fact affect my SSD benefits and/or my eligibility for Medicare?

It is very likely that a settled workers’ comp claim could, in fact, affect your eligibility for benefits payable through other programs. However, a short answer here will not do justice to the complexities involved in individual cases. A personalized evaluation is the next step you need to take if this may be true for you. Note: Through the use of the proper language in your workers’ compensation settlement and the use of a Medicare set-aside, you may be able to protect your Social Security Disability benefits and your eligibility for benefits. There is no substitute for an experienced disability lawyer’s analysis, guidance and advocacy in such a case.

We Can Answer Your Workers’ Compensation FAQs — Start With A Free Consultation

Our services are available on a contingency fee basis, which means we only ask for payment if we are successful in getting you the benefits you need.

To learn more, call 614-963-9569 or send us an email to discuss your case with one of our Columbus, workers’ compensation attorneys. We help employees who have been injured at work throughout the state of Ohio.