You hope that your place of employment is safe, but that’s not always the case. Not a day goes by without someone getting hurt on the job. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that there were 2.7 work-related injuries per 100 workers in 2022.
Did you know that there are personal injury lawyers in Cincinnati who specialize in workplace incidents? If you get injured or sick at work, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation, and an on-the-job injury lawyer can help you get the benefits you need.
What Counts as a Workplace Injury?
A work-related incident that qualifies for workers’ compensation is one that occurs while you are performing your job duties. You can be at your place of work or in a remote location. If the incident happened during activities that were within the scope of your work, you can file a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
What To Do After a Work-Related Accident
Report the incident to your supervisor as soon as possible after you’ve been hurt. Time is of the essence, so it’s crucial that you don’t delay in alerting your employer about what happened.
You must also file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Your doctor or workers’ comp lawyer can also submit the claim on your behalf. According to Ohio law, you have one year to file your claim to receive benefits. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to collect reimbursement.
Another time-sensitive step is to seek medical attention, no matter how minor you think your injury is. A thorough exam is crucial in case you have a condition, like a traumatic brain injury, that isn’t apparent at first. Seeing a provider right away ensures you get the care you need. It also allows you to document and gather evidence for the injury if your employer’s insurance carrier calls your claim into question.
Finally, enlist representation from a Cincinnati-based workers’ comp attorney. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what forms you need to submit while keeping up with your bills and recovering from your injury. Not only can your attorney help you understand all your legal options, but they can also submit your forms to the BWC for you and on time. They will also submit an appeal on your behalf if your initial claim is rejected.
What to Look for in an Attorney Specializing in Employment Injuries While On The Job
There are many practicing workers’ comp attorneys in Cincinnati, but how do you find the right legal advocate? First, it helps if your lawyer has workers’ comp experience in your specific industry. They should also demonstrate a track record of successful workers’ comp claims similar to yours. Other qualities to look for are good communication skills, fair and transparent fee structure, accessibility, and reputation, which you can glean from client reviews.
The Importance of Having a Workplace Accident Lawyer
A job injury advocate can make a difference in the amount of work injury compensation or how successful you are at appealing a claim denial. At Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen, L.P.A., Co., we want you to regain your quality of life and return to work as quickly as possible. Contact us today to learn how we can help you obtain the best compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. You can call us at 513.721. 6500 or use our online contact form.