Ohio Workers Compensation Program

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance paid out by your employer. In case you are injured at work, then your employer is required by law to pay workers compensation benefits. Ohio workers compensation benefits include medical treatment, lost wages as well as compensation for permanent injuries.

Workers’ compensation is managed by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). By Ohio state law, any injury or illness incurred while at work is covered by workers’ compensation. However, there are a few injuries or illnesses that are not covered by workers’ compensation, a list of which is available here.

Claiming Ohio Workers Compensation

• Your injury or illness should be reported to your employer as soon as possible.

• You also will to claim for workers’ compensation with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. This requires you to first fill in the FROI form (First Report of Injury, Occupational Disease or Death).

• The FROI must be submitted to the BWC within two years from the date of your injury. For an illness that has developed over time, you must submit your claim within 6 months of your illness being diagnosed.

• The BWC will inform you of approval or denial of your claim within 28 days of having received your claim.

Appealing a Claim

In case your claim is denied, you may appeal your claim. Understand that even your employer can appeal a claim decision.

• You need to file an appeal with the Industrial Commission of Ohio within 14 days of the BWC Order of claims denial. You need to fill a form online or in hard copy (Notice of Appeal form) and submit it at the nearest office of the Industrial Commission.

• You will have a District Level Hearing within 45 days of you submitting your appeal. You will receive an answer within 7 days of the appeal hearing.

• In case you appeal is denied, you may appeal again, and within 45 days, the Staff Hearing Officer will conduct another hearing.

• If your appeal is still denied, you can appeal again, but a Commission Level hearing is not guaranteed. If the Commission Level hearing is denied, then you may file a case with the Ohio state courts within 60 days of the denial.

In case you appeal is denied, you should get a Ohio workers compensation benefits include medical treatment, lost wages as well as compensation for permanent injuries. attorney to help you with your case.