When a person is injured on the job, getting a work comp claim allowed can be a fight. Employers deny claims and fight the claim allowance in order to keep their rates down. Self insured employers are more litigious than other employers. Even the BWC has its doctors to render opinions of whether a claim condition should be allowed as a work accident claim. And both employers and the BWC have attorneys to protect their legal interests. In this economic climate, an injured worker just can’t go it alone.Many hearings are scheduled because the Employer’s MCO (medical care organization) denies medical treatment and the injured worker files an appeal to the denial. Other hearings take place when the employer or the BWC try to get an injured worker off temporary total disability compensation (the money you get when you can’t work) by saying the worker has reached MMI (maximum medical improvement). There are hearings on other issues as well.
Bottom line, an injured worker can’t fight the system alone against the lawyers hired to represent the interests of the employer and the BWC.
You should get a Board Certified Ohio Workers’ Compensation Specialist Attorney to represent you. A Board Certified Specialist can protect all of your legal interests at the BWC and the ICO (Industrial Commission of Ohio).
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Once the claim is allowed, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OhioBWC) or an Ohio Self Insured Employer may issue compensation which includes, but is not limited to: temporary total disability compensation (“TTD”), one of several types of wage loss, which can include non-working wage loss, working wage loss; and/or living maintenance payment. But, most times, there are continuing legal issues related to payments made.
Compensation resulting from inability to work or for loss of extension, flexion, and/or rotation may be payable once a claim is allowed.
Temporary Total Disability Compensation
In general, temporary total disability compensation (TTD) is paid when an employee is injured in the course of and scope of employment and cannot return to work. The fight may begin when the injured workers’ own doctor labels the worker TTD, but another doctor (either on behalf of the BWC or the employer) finds the injured worker capable of returning to work.
In this situation, having a Board Certified Ohio Workers’ Compensation Specialist Attorney in your corner can help prevent termination of your TTD, or a premature return to work where further injury or complications may occur. A premature return to work could prevent full healing or cause further injury, or unnecessary complications.
Having issues with the OhioBWC or your employer in your Ohio Work Comp claim? You need a specialist in your corner. Call Mike Gruhin, Board Certified Ohio Workers’ Compensation Specialist Attorney. Don’t wait, there are time limits.
Wage Loss Compensation for Injured Workers
The Ohio BWC may also pay an injured worker wage loss compensation (WL). Generally speaking, wage loss compensation is payable where an injured worker: Suffers a loss in earnings and the loss is directly attributable to the allowed conditions in his/her claim.
There are 3 types of wage loss compensation under Ohio Work Comp: Working wage loss, Non-working wage loss, Living maintenance wage loss. Contact a Board Certified Specialist to see if you qualify for wage loss compensation.