Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) has a website for public use. As someone who may be trying to file a claim, you’ll want to know how their site can be of use to you.
The three main buttons at the top are fairly self-explanatory:
File a Claim
Here is where you can submit paperwork regarding your work accident law claim with the state. Although you can access the site on your own, and it is possible to file a successful claim on your own, we highly recommend you get assistance before sending in a claim on the site. The Ohio BWC rejects about 70% of new claims, and since the process for appealing a rejection can take up to two years, you want to avoid a rejection of your new application if you possibly can.
Apply for Coverage
This is for employers in Ohio to add coverage for their workers. This button leads to a U-3 form which companies complete to get that coverage in place for their workers.
Find a Provider
If you need to seek medical assistance due an on-the-job injury or a condition caused by your work, this is where you can look up an approved medical provider near you. You can search by Specialty (Dermatology, Hematology, Neurology, etc.), and you can filter by Type of Medical Provider (Acupuncturist, Podiatrist, Dentist, etc.). Using an approved medical provider from this site can help to reduce questions about your medical evidence down the road.
Beyond those three buttons, however, there is a whole section of the site devoted to the needs of workers.
In the Workers section, along with a very helpful Worker FAQ, you will see a list of resources for injured workers.
Many of the questions on this FAQ are ones you are likely to ask:
- When will I receive my benefits?
- How do I know the amount of my benefit payments?
- How do I receive my benefits?
- What is the current status of my claim?
There is also a Health and Wellness Program, called Better You, Better Ohio. This is similar to the types of health and wellness services offered by many insurance companies, but the difference with Better You, Better Ohio is that it is aimed at workers who are employed in high-risk industries; specifically, industries where the employer is a small business with less than 150 employees. These support resources are designed to reduce any injury’s severity, prevent further injuries, and increase the speed of a worker’s recovery. Better You, Better Ohio also addresses chronic diseases associated with aging and obesity, like diabetes and hypertension. It is aimed at being both a preventive medicine tool, and a set of resources for those recuperating from workplace injuries.
Also included on the BWC website is information about the awareness week for Kids’ Chance. Kids’ Chance provides scholarships for the children of workers who have died or been severely injured on the job.
Also in the Worker section of the site, you will find options as a claimant:
- File a claim
Which is where you can upload your claim forms.
- View claim documents
If you already have a claim in progress, you can track that claim here, and revisit the paperwork you have already submitted.
- View my claim
To see your full claim, you need to establish an account with the BWC. All claims are password protected, and you can use this page and your account to track the progress of your claim.
Generally speaking, the Ohio BWC site has tools to assist you in managing the process of applying for and receiving workers’ comp benefits. If you have any questions about the BWC tools, if you have difficulty accessing these tools, or you feel like you could use more support in the process of filing or following up with your workers’ comp claim here in Ohio, feel free to reach out to our office here at CTBC.