Most of us get up and go to work everyday for one reason, to provide for our families. What happens, however, when you get hurt at work and the very job that allowed you to provide for your family prevents you from doing so?
Getting hurt at work can be financially devastating to you and your family. The workers’ compensation system was designed to help people who were injured in the line of work, so they can stay financially stable while they are recovering from their injuries.
The Ohio worker’s compensation system provides injured workers with the following benefits:
1. Permanent Disability Benefits. If someone is injured so severely at work that he or she will never be able to work again, that person may be eligible for permanent disability benefits. If the workers’ compensation system determines that rehabilitation and/or other employment will not allow the injured worker to live the life he or she was living before the injury, the system may provide them and their family with permanent financial support.
2. Survivor Benefits. If someone died as a the result of an injury at work, the workers’ compensation system will provide the person’s surviving spouse and children with financial support, in accordance with the following:
- The spouse of the deceased will get 66 and 2/3 percent of the worker’s average wage and will continue to get that amount for life or for two years after the spouse remarries.
- Children of the deceased will receive financial compensation until turn turn 18 or 25 if the child remains in school.
3. Safety Violation Benefits. If a person is injured as the result of a violation of Ohio safety requirements, that person will receive compensation because of the violation and that compensation will continue through the life of the claim. The amount of compensation is calculated differently in this situation, and is not based on average wages, but instead is based on a statutory maximum set for the year the injury occurred. Furthermore, the employer may be penalized for the violation.
4. Cost of Living. Workers’ compensation benefits are not based on the cost of living, but are instead set by statute.
5. Lump Sum Settlements. Someone injured at work is eligible to settle their workers’ compensation claim for a lump sum, as opposed to receiving monthly installments. However, once an amount is agreed upon, the compensation claim is permanently closed regardless of any changes in the degree of your injury. Therefore, before you settle your claim, you must be sure about your prognosis.
6. Hiring an Attorney. The workers’ compensation system can become extremely complicated. That is why you need to call an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer to help protect your rights, and get you the compensation you deserve. A lawyer who knows what he or she is doing can help you sort through the confusion. The system isn’t always on the employee’s side, so you can have to do everything you can to protect yourself.
If you were injured while working in Ohio, you may be entitled to the benefits discussed above. Call me right away at 1 (800) 556-4769. As your Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For 33 years, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus & Cincinnati, Ohio.” You can reach Tim by email at tmisny@misnylaw.com or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.