As a worker in Ohio, you have certain protections that can help if you're injured at work. One of those protections is known as workers' compensation, and it helps pay for your medical bills, lost wages and other needs following a personal injury on the job.
When you're hurt at work, the first thing you need to do is to file a claim with the Ohio Department of Workers' Compensation. This claim, known as the First Report of Injury, needs to be sent to the BWC or mailed in via the Internet. Your employer may also file this report.
To start with, once you're approved for workers' compensation, you'll have your medical bills and treatments paid. After that, you may qualify for additional compensation based on the extent of your injury and the amount of time you need to be off work. For example, if you're 100 percent disabled for a short, temporary period of time, then you may receive your full wages while you are off work. If you're injured and working less, you may be entitled to your full wages since the injury was the result of a work-related accident.
There are a few other cases where you may be compensated as well. For instance, you could be eligible for total disability if you are injured and declared permanently disabled. If you agree with your employer to settle your claim, then you may get a lump sum payment. Additionally, if you're partially disabled and the disability is permanent, you may receive a percentage of the partial disability award as a benefit.
Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, "Injured worker questions and answers" accessed Mar. 25, 2015