If you have suffered an illness or an injury that occurred at work or during the course of your employment, you do not want to waste any time when filing a claim. Receiving payment from worker’s compensation will probably take longer than you want it to. However, there are things you can do to avoid unnecessary delays.
Ohio workers’ compensation law imposes statutes of limitations on filing different types of worker’s comp claims. If you fail to file a claim on time, you forfeit your right to pursue compensation from your employer.
What Are the Statutes of Limitations for Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims?
For injuries sustained while working, you must file a claim within two years of the date of the injury. If you need to file a workers’ comp claim for an occupational illness, make sure you file before one of the following deadlines, whichever is the most recent:
- Up to two years after the illness began
- Within two years after death caused by the disease
- Within six months of receiving a diagnosis from your physician
To determine the start date of a work-related disability, you should use the most recent of the following criteria:
- The date the worker quit work because of the occupational illness
- When a doctor’s diagnosis made the worker aware of the disability
When the employee first received treatment for the disease
The Workers’ Comp Claim Filing Process
There are several things to stay on top of when initiating a worker’s compensation claim. Filing a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the U.S. Bureau of Workers’ Compensation should be your first step. It is your choice if you want to file on your own or work with a healthcare provider or your employer.
However, a personal injury lawyer is in the best position to understand the nuances of workers’ compensation law. They can ensure your report is filled out correctly and filed before the applicable deadline. Your attorney can also help you avoid small mistakes in the paperwork that can slow down the process, reduce your compensation, or even cause your claim to be denied.
Protecting your health and rights when you have been injured on the job is vital. Also, avoiding delays is crucial when filing a workers’ compensation claim, which you should do as soon as possible. You can talk to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney from Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen LPA, Co. for legal assistance. If you have questions or are denied benefits, a qualified lawyer can advocate for you and help you get the compensation you need.