The three most important things to remember about a workers’ compensation settlement are:

1. Settlements are voluntary. No one can force you to settle your case for an amount you don’t agree with.
2. Most settlements will stop the payment of compensation and medical payments in exchange for a lump sum of money.
3. In Ohio, if the employer is not self-insured and the claim is older than five years, it is not necessary to have an agreement from the employer to settle. In those cases, the injured worker can settle directly with the BWC and the employer cannot stop the settlement.

Many injured workers call me and want to know how long it takes to settle a case and how much their case is worth.

The value of a workers’ compensation case depends on how serious the injury was and how much compensation and medical bills were already paid. A settlement is based on how much compensation will be paid in the future, not how much has already been paid.

A serious injury involving surgery or other significant treatment will be worth more than an injury with sprains and strains of muscles.

This leads to the big question: How long will it take?

On average, once medical treatment has ended, a settlement can be reached in as little as two or three months so long as the parties can agree on an amount.

An attorney can evaluate your case at no cost to you. The attorney must review the medical records and reports to form an intelligent opinion on any case.

If you are not receiving ongoing medical treatment or compensation, waiting to settle your case may lead to a smaller settlement. Therefore, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss a settlement.

When you get injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits can cover your medical bills and replace some of your lost wages. This system gives workers the time and financial support to recover from their injuries and return to the workforce.

However, workers’ comp benefits do not replace all of your lost wages, and if you are a noncustodial parent with child support obligations, a significant reduction in your monthly income can be a big concern.

Ohio takes child support obligations very seriously. Each parent has a legal responsibility to provide financial support for their children while they remain dependent, and that responsibility does not change when parents get hurt.

Will My Workers’ Compensation Be Taken to Pay for Child Support?

In some cases, yes. Workers’ compensation benefits can be withheld to pay for child support.

Although the benefits you receive for medical costs should go directly to your medical bills, a portion of your wage-loss benefits can be taken to cover any child support obligations.

If you receive monthly workers’ comp benefits for temporary total disability or temporary partial disability, up to 25% of your monthly benefits are subject to wage garnishment.

If you have no current child support obligations and your wages are being garnished for arrearages only, the maximum amount of withholding is reduced to 15%.

If you receive a lump-sum award for benefits, up to 50% of the lump-sum award may be subject to garnishment.

If you receive monthly permanent total disability or permanent partial disability benefits, up to 50 percent of your monthly benefits are subject to garnishment.

If you receive a settlement payment from a disputed workers’ comp claim, up to 50% of the proceeds from the settlement are subject to garnishment.

Do I Have to Pay Less Child Support Since Workers’ Compensation Pays Me Less Than What I Was Earning at Work?

Having to pay for child support when you’re already struggling to cover medical bills and costs of living can be a challenging situation.

If you believe you may be out of work for a while, you can request a modification of your child support order.

Contact Thomas Marchese Today.
We have more than 25 years of experience helping injured workers in Columbus with workers’ compensation issues. Contact us today to discuss the details of your situation with Tom. Your call is free.

Cases involving workers’ compensation can occasionally be resolved quickly (within a few weeks or months), but most can take years to settle.

On average, a workers’ compensation case will be settled within 16 months. A resolution could lead to a court hearing or a settlement agreement. Under 20% of cases are resolved in the first 6 months. Most workers—roughly half—complete their claims within 13 to 24 months.

Each case is unique and will have a different time frame for settlement.

Can my Workers’ Comp case settle without a lawsuit?

In short, yes, but you may be losing some of your potential benefits from the case. If you can resolve the dispute without resorting to litigation, it will often greatly speed up the entire process. Without going to court, agreements can be reached in months.

Keep in mind that requests for workers’ compensation payments are considered claims for workers’ compensation. If you haven’t yet filed a lawsuit, you may still be able to make a claim for benefits.

Before filing a lawsuit, workers (and their attorneys) will frequently attempt to reach an agreement with the workers’ compensation insurance provider. This strategy is often successful, but if it fails, it may take more time because it delays the filing of your workers’ compensation complaint.

But just because an out-of-court settlement is quicker does not imply that it is always the right line of action. In many cases, you will need to file a lawsuit in order to receive the compensation you deserve to compensate you for your work injury.

Things that affect the average time to settle a Workers’ Comp case:

• Type of injury
• Recovery time from the injury
• Whether you have a complete, partial, or full recovery from the injury
• Involvement of a lawyer (or not)
• Negotiation or acceptance of the funds offered to you
• If the case goes to hearing
• Whether you need to file an appeal

Longer Workers’ Comp cases often lead to higher settlements or awards. This is not always the case, but it’s important to remember that in the long run, it’s not a bad thing to have a case that takes a while to settle.

Do insurance companies prolong a Workers’ Comp settlement?

Since the insurance company typically covers the cost of workers’ compensation benefits, their actions have a significant influence on how the case progresses.

The case’s timing may be greatly impacted if an insurance company (or its lawyer, or the employer) is slow to assess the case, follow up, or set deadlines.

If an insurance company challenges the rate of permanent impairment that has been awarded to you, for instance, cases will typically take longer. The length of the case can alter significantly if your doctor determines that your disability is 30% while the doctor for the insurance company determines that it is 10%.

The impairment rating is the key area of focus for insurance companies since it significantly affects how much you are entitled to in workers’ compensation claims. If the permanent disability rating is contested, the case will frequently take close to an additional 5 months.

Insurance firms analyze claims and often handle numerous claims at once. Processing all of that data requires time and might result in severe process delays.

Here are some common delays for Workers Comp cases:

• Slow response times
• Lack of response from an attorney
• Slow responses from hospitals and clinics to send medical records
• Ignoring requests for medical treatment
• Difficulty getting in to see a particular doctor or specialist
• Delays in scheduling important events (i.e. independent medical examinations(IME) or depositions)

There are instances where an insurance company will purposefully hold up your claim, even though many of these delays are just a normal part of a workers’ compensation case. They might do this to irritate the employee in an effort to get them to drop their claim or settle for less money. Always consult a lawyer before accepting a lump sum settlement.

Should I accept a lump sum settlement for my Workers’ Comp claim?

It’s crucial to keep in mind that if you are awarded a lump-sum settlement, you’ll no longer receive weekly checks to replace your lost wages, medical expenses, or both.

Settlements can occasionally be helpful in shortening the payment timetable, notwithstanding their downsides. For years, you won’t have to be concerned about the employer’s insurer carefully examining your condition. If you recuperate and do not have a permanent handicap, you may also go back to work and keep the settlement.

When it comes to work-related injuries, every situation is unique. To determine whether a lump sum payment makes sense for your settlement offer, it is actually best to speak with your lawyer about your disability benefits, medical expenses, and long-term outlook.

Get an experienced Ohio Workers’ Comp Attorney on your side

As one of the first attorneys in the State of Ohio to be board certified as a specialist in Worker’s Compensation Law, Tom Marchese has the knowledge and experience to greatly benefit your case. He will personally handle every aspect of your case. It won’t be passed off to a junior associate, and it won’t be treated like any other file in a stack. He will support you throughout the process, from consultation to resolution.

Whether you need to file a new claim, your claim was denied, or you need to appeal a denied claim, contact Thomas Marchese. To discuss a potential settlement amount or the time frame for your settlement, call today.

Additionally, here are steps to take after a workplace injury.

In this article, we’ll answer some of the questions that we hear most often.

1. What is a workers’ comp injury?

“An injury whether caused by external or accidental means or accidental in character and result received in the course of and arising out of the employee’s employment.” More simply; an injury that occurred either at your place of employment (on-site or off-site) during your working hours while on a job-related task.

2. How do I file a workers’ compensation claim?

The injured worker or their workers’ comp attorney, as well as employers and medical providers, can all file a claim online at the BWC Website or by manually completing the First Report of Injury (FROI) form and filing it with any BWC office.

3. How long do I have to file a workers’ comp claim?

In Ohio, you have one year from the date of injury or death to file your workers’ compensation claim. However, we recommend you file as soon as possible following the incident.

4. Does every workers’ comp claim require a hearing?

No. Hearings are held only when there is a dispute between the injured worker and the employer.

5. How will I be notified of a hearing?

A notice will be sent to you at least 14 days prior to the scheduled hearing date.

6. How is my weekly rate of pay determined?

The first 12 weeks of disability (if needed for the long) are based upon your full weekly wage. This is determined by taking an average of your earnings for the six weeks prior to your injury or the earnings for the week prior to your injury, minus any overtime. The higher of these two figures is considered your full weekly wage. Your weekly rate of pay is determined by taking 72% of that number.

After the first 12 weeks of disability, the weekly rate of pay is based on your average weekly wage. This is determined by the average of the earnings for the entire year prior to your injury. The rate of pay is determined by taking 66.66% of that number.

It is important to note that there are minimum and maximum rates applicable to the year you were injured.

7. What is the difference between an MCO and the BWC?

The BWC is the Ohio agency that is responsible for Ohio’s workers’ compensation system. They make decisions regarding claim allowances and handle any issues with the payment of benefits.

The MCOs are private companies either selected by or assigned to each state-funded employer to medically manage an employer’s workers’ compensation claims and make treatment decisions and coordinate medical care.

8. How do my medical bills get paid if I’m collecting workers’ compensation?

Once your claim is approved, the medical providers who have treated your injury should submit their bills for payment to your MCO, who reviews the bills and then sends them electronically to the BWC, who then disburses payment to the medical providers. If you receive a bill, contact the medical provider and advise them the treatment was for a work-related injury. Give them the name and address of your MCO and ask that they forward the bills there.

9. How do I get reimbursed for medications I’ve paid for?

If the pharmacist sent the bill information to RxNet then you do not need to do anything. You will be reimbursed once your claim is approved. If you paid cash for your prescription and the bill information was not sent to RxNet, you will need to have your pharmacist complete and submit a C-17 form.

10. What happens to my workers’ comp claim if I move out of state?

Although hearings on your claim are only held in Ohio, medical and compensation benefits are paid regardless of where you live.

Have more questions? Contact us. Getting workers’ comp for injuries sustained while working can be a complex process. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can advise you of your options and protect your legal rights at every stage in the process.

Schedule your free consultation with attorney Thomas Marchese today. Workers’ compensation is all we do.

Just because you received a denial for your workers’ compensation claim, doesn’t mean you’re out of options. You may still be able to file an appeal.

A workers’ compensation denial letter can be a disheartening experience. You were injured on the job and you struggled while waiting for your benefits to come through, and then…nothing. No benefits, and no explanation as to why your claim was denied.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Employers and the BWC routinely deny injured workers’ claims for benefits. Sometimes these denials are legitimate and other times they aren’t, but injured workers who have been denied compensation should promptly evaluate their options for filing an appeal.

Let’s start with the basics.

Why Was I Denied Workers Compensation Benefits?

For now, let’s assume that you’re entitled to workers’ compensation, meaning you’re an employee who was injured on the job.
There are several reasons why your claim may be denied or reduced. Below are some common reasons that can potentially be overcome by filing an appeal:

Your Injury or Illness was (Supposedly) Not Job-Related

Employers and the BWC will often deny workers compensation claims, many times in error, on the basis that the employee’s injury or illness was not job-related. You may have simply failed to present evidence that was available to prove your benefits.

You Missed the Deadline to Report Your Injury or File for Benefits

The deadline for reporting your injury and filing for workers’ compensation is based on the date that your illness or injury occurred. However, this isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. You should report your injury immediately to your supervisor and the statute of limitations for filing a worker’s compensation claim in Ohio is one year. If you missed a deadline, you should speak with a workers’ compensation attorney to find out if you’re still eligible for benefits.

You Submitted an Inaccurate or Incomplete Claim Form

If you submit a claim form with incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent information, you may be denied benefits. These deficiencies can be overcome, but you cannot expect your employer the BWC to deal with them for you. Speak directly to a workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your options.

You Had Drugs in Your System at the Time of Your Injury

If you had alcohol, prescription medications, or illegal drugs in your system during your medical examination, there is a chance that the employer or BWC will try to use this against you. However, there are points to be argued. Were you under the influence when you were injured, and if so, was this a factor in the injury?

How Can I Appeal My Workers Compensation Denial?

If you’ve been denied workers’ compensation benefits, you have options. To determine the best steps to take, you need to understand why your workers’ compensation claim was denied. Whether due to a simple mistake on your part or the part of your employer or the BWC, appealing your denial may be as simple as straightening things out through a phone call.

However, in many cases, appealing a workers compensation denial means filing a formal appeal. This process usually begins with submitting an appeal to the Industrial Commission. While this is something you can do on your own, it’s a task best handled by an experienced work injury attorney. You may need to present your case to a hearing officer, and if they agree that you are not entitled to benefits, you may need to take your case to court.

Speak with an Attorney about Your Denial
If you need help understanding your rights after a workers compensation denial, call Tom Marchese. We’ll walk you through all of your options and begin appeal proceedings.

Remote work was already on the rise in Ohio before the pandemic. Now, many are working partially or fully from home, and while this is a win for flexibility, it also raises questions about the workers’ compensation system, especially if you’re injured during work hours. You could be left wondering, can I get workers comp if I’m a remote worker?

The short answer is yes, however, proving that you were on the job when the injury occurred can be difficult, to say the least.

Workers’ comp protects the worker, not the workplace

To simplify this, you are protected by workers’ comp whenever you’re on the job, meaning that you’re working on the clock doing job-related activities, regardless of where the location may be. This is how workers’ compensation protects traveling employees like delivery drivers.

For remote workers, your home is no different from any other location where you perform work activities. You’re still on the job, therefore any injuries sustained while on duty are still covered by workers’ comp. The problem is that the line between “on duty” and “off duty” can become blurred, so your employer, as well as the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, may have grounds to dispute whether you were “on the job” at the time the injury occurred.

“acting in furtherance” vs. “personal comfort”

Essentially, if you’re actively doing your job or job-related tasks at the time of the injury, you’re entitled to workers’ comp. For example, let’s say you received a work-related phone call and tripped while walking to the phone, that should be a compensable injury. Or, if you received a delivery of work materials and were injured while carrying them into your home, that too should be a compensable injury. However, there are always gray areas.

“Acting in furtherance” basically refers to any work duties intended to administer to an employee’s “personal comfort”. For example, if you were injured while going to the bathroom or getting a drink during your workday, that injury should still be compensable. The law recognizes that workers are human beings with basic needs which are required for the employee to do their job effectively, thus satisfying the basic “acting in furtherance” principle.

However, the “personal comfort” doctrine only goes so far. Let’s say you were injured while performing a task that was well outside your work duties and was not considered a job-related task, your injuries may not be compensable. For example, if you were hurt while throwing in a load of laundry or getting your personal mail during your workday, that is probably not covered by workers’ comp.

What to do if you’re injured while working from home

As with any work injury, there are steps that need to be taken to ensure that you have the greatest chance of getting a workers comp claim approved. First, you need to report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible. In a remote work situation, you will probably need to call your manager on the phone to make that initial notification, however, you should also send an email or other written communication as well, to make sure you have it in writing.

Next, seek prompt medical attention. Tell the doctor who sees you that you were hurt while working, and describe your symptoms in detail. This not only protects your health but also creates a record of your injuries which supports your claim.

Then, contact us. Getting workers’ comp for injuries sustained while working from home is an often complex process. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can advise you of your options and protect your legal rights at every stage in the process. Schedule your free consultation with Thomas Marchese today.