The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) covers almost all work-related injuries in the state through a workers’ compensation system. This system provides medical benefits and covers the costs of rehabilitation, including doctor visits, prescribed medicine and stays at the hospital. Injured employees are also given financial support if they are physically unable to work.
The BWC’s no-fault system provides employees with benefits even when they are responsible for their own injuries. Similarly, Ohio laws protect employees from termination as a result of said injuries.
Which injuries does the state cover?
The Ohio BWC compensates employees for work-related injuries only when they occur in the workplace and during working hours. This mostly applies to physical injuries such as cuts, bruises, broken bones and muscle damage. Common examples of work-related injuries covered by the state include, but are not limited to:
- Tripping, slipping and falling
- Being hit by moving objects
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Burns from fire and chemicals
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Respiratory problems from dust, fumes and chemicals
- Hearing loss
- Cancer
There are also numerous factors to consider when it comes to more ambiguous situations, such as fights and reckless behavior involving two or more employees. If an injury comes from a fight at work, the state will only cover it if the fight was work-related and the victim was not the instigator.
Which injuries does the state not cover?
Injuries and disabilities caused by old age are not covered by the Ohio BWC, nor are injuries from the natural deterioration of tissue and organs. The state does not compensate for conditions that existed before a workplace accident, though it may allow exceptions depending on the circumstances. Compensation is granted when the accident clearly aggravates or significantly worsens an existing condition.
The state does not provide coverage for mental illnesses unless they are the result of a physical injury from work or sexual assault suffered at the workplace. Intentional self-harm, such as someone cutting themselves or breaking their own arm, is also not covered.
Seeking legal guidance for work-related injuries
Employees injured at the workplace might want to consider legal counsel if compensation is unclear. Navigating laws concerning work-related injuries in Ohio can be difficult without guidance from an experienced attorney.