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:
- Workers’ compensation laws in Ohio: We are dedicated to educating you about the rights of the injured and all other aspects of Ohio workers’ comp laws. If you have been injured at work, there are steps you need to take right away and questions you need answered. One of the first is: Do I need a lawyer to file a workers’ comp claim? We have the answers you need as you move forward with the process.
- Workers’ compensation process in Ohio: We will assist you through all stages of the workers’ comp process, even if your case involves an Ohio self-insured employer. From filing a workers’ comp claim on, we will be by your side.
- Workers’ compensation benefits in Ohio: We are able to handle all aspects of getting you the benefits you need, starting with calculating your average weekly wage and explaining the benefits you may be entitled to, including medical treatment, wage loss benefits and other benefits.
- Denied workers’ compensation claims: One of the most important pieces of information for you to be aware of is that a denial is not the end of the road. Additional steps can be taken. We know those steps well.
- Common work-related injuries: We represent people who have suffered all types of work-related injuries, including cumulative trauma injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, head injuries, and amputations, just to name a few. Whether these injuries require chiropractic care or any other kind of treatment, we can help. We also encourage you to review some of the statistics that show just how common work-related injuries are.
- Injuries suffered in high-risk occupations: Whether your injury was caused by a construction mishap or any other accident involving a high-risk occupation, we can assist you.
- Work-related wrongful death: If a loved one or a family member has died because of a work accident, you may be entitled to compensation. We can help you explore all legal options available, including a possible death claim.
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.