Quick Guide To Workers’ Compensation In Ohio (2025)

Ohio Workers’ Compensation Basics

If you get hurt because a driver was negligent, you can call an Ohio personal injury lawyer to help you recover compensation. Work injuries are a little different.

If you get injured at work, you generally can’t sue your employer. Instead, you would need to file a claim against their workers’ compensation insurance.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. This means that, unlike a personal injury case, you do not need to prove your employer’s negligence to recover compensation for your medical care and lost wages.

Who Must Carry Coverage and Who Is Eligible?

In Ohio, most employers with one or more employees are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. There are very limited cases where an employer may secure a workers’ comp exemption, meaning they do not have to carry insurance.

These are some common exemptions in Ohio:

• Sole proprietorships
• Domestic workers or casual employees making less than $160 per quarter
• Corporate offices of family farms
• Religious ministers
• Partnerships

If an employer is required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance and doesn’t, they may owe significant fines. In some cases, the state may place a lien on business and personal property until the required coverage is purchased.

Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Ohio

How much does workers’ comp pay? Just like in other states, workers’ compensation in Ohio depends on the severity of your injury. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for these benefits:

• Medical treatment
• Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits
• Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits
• Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits
• Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits
• Death benefits (paid to family)
• Vocational rehabilitation

In many cases, employees receive TTD benefits while they heal from their injuries. These benefits are usually two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage.

Steps to Take After a Work Injury in Ohio

If you’ve been injured at work, the steps you take right away can protect your health and preserve your chances of recovering compensation. Here’s what to do:

• Report the injury to your employer as soon as possible
• Seek medical attention
• File a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)
• Document your injuries and keep track of your medical bills and claim paperwork
• Consult a workers’ comp lawyer for advice

In some cases, your employer may file a FROI on your behalf. If you aren’t sure if they’ve done so, don’t be afraid to ask.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Ohio

Technically, you have a year after your injury to file a claim for workers’ compensation in Ohio. However, in most cases, it’s best to file your claim promptly. Filing sooner generally means you’ll receive your benefits faster.

What Happens After Filing, Approval, Denial and Appeals?

Once your claim is filed, you might breathe a sigh of relief. However, it’s a good idea to make sure you know what happens next:

After Filing

After you file your claim, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OBWC) will review it. They will usually tell you if your claim has been approved or denied within 28 days.

After Approval

Once your claim has been approved, you should start receiving benefits.

After Denial

If your claim is denied, you have 14 days to file an appeal with the Ohio Industrial Commission (OIC). It’s highly recommended to seek out a workers’ compensation lawyer to help you do this.

After Appeal

If the OIC approves your appeal, the initial denial will be reversed, and you can start receiving benefits. If the appeal is denied, you may file a further appeal. If you have exhausted the OIC appeals process, you may file a lawsuit in Ohio’s Court of Common Pleas.

How Workers’ Compensation Insurance Works in Ohio

Employers who are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance can either purchase insurance through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) or self-insure.

Self-insurance usually involves significant resources, so it’s typically only large companies that choose this option.

When an employee suffers a work injury or a work-related illness, they must file a claim against the employer’s insurance policy.

Claims may cause the employer’s premium to increase. Generally, claims involving serious injuries (and therefore larger payouts) have more of an impact.

Getting Legal Help for an Ohio Workers’ Compensation Case

In cases involving serious injury, it may be wise to consult an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer before you even file a claim. However, if your claim is denied, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.

If you’re already trying to heal from an injury, trying to find a lawyer might sound like too much. Fortunately, with ConsumerShield, it isn’t hard to get matched with a lawyer who meets your needs. Just fill out our contact form below, and we’ll start working on your free case review.