Ohio workers who are injured on the job and are not able to get back to work immediately, if at all, might think they are protected by their workers' compensation benefits. In many instances, this turns out to be the case. In others, however, there is a disagreement from putting forth the workers' compensation claim, to retaining the benefits, to being informed that the worker is capable of returning to full duty when they are not. With any issue related to workers' compensation, the Ombuds Office of Ohio is available to help.
Those who are having a problem understanding or are dissatisfied with their interactions with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) or the Industrial Commission (IC), can seek help from the Ombuds Office. The Ombuds Office is independent and will do the following: help with questions regarding the claim and policy; provide points of contact with the BWC and IC; conduct an investigation as to the complaints that are being lodged and help with methods of settling them; and function as a neutral entity in seeking a resolution.
The Ombuds Office should be contacted when all other options to settle a dispute with workers' compensation claims have been attempted or if there is information that the claimant cannot find anywhere else. If there is lack of satisfaction with the manner in which the BWC or IC are handling the claim, this too is a basis to contact the Ombuds Office.
The Ombuds Office does not serve as a representative for a hearing or when going to court. It will not dispense legal advice and, because it has no stake in the matter other than to be an objective voice to try to settle any disagreement, a claimant should be aware of the importance of discussing the matter with an attorney. With that in mind, those who suffer a workplace injury and are having issues with workers' compensation in Ohio should contact an attorney for help, even before contacting the Ombuds Office.
Source: bwc.ohio.gov, "Ombuds Office," accessed on April 25, 2016
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