Many employees in Cleveland have jobs that require them to work in other cities throughout Ohio and, in some cases, to perform work-related duties in another state. Jobs that require occasional work in a different state can vary widely, from construction work jobs to business management positions that require work meetings in places like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and other nearby states.
Yet when an accident or an injury occurs outside of Ohio, navigating the workers’ compensation claims process can be more complicated. Many workers who get hurt out of state want to know if they are eligible to file an Ohio workers’ compensation claim.
The answer to that question depends on several different factors, which I will discuss with you here. If you need help with your workers’ compensation claim, do not hesitate to get in touch with me. I have years of experience representing injured workers in Ohio workers’ compensation cases and can help you to seek the compensation you deserve.
When the Work Outside Ohio Was Temporary
The first and most important question about getting workers’ comp benefits if your injury occurred outside Ohio is this one: Were you working only temporarily, or on a temporary basis, outside Ohio? If the answer to that question is “yes,” then you are likely eligible to apply for Ohio workers’ compensation benefits through extraterritorial coverage.
As the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) explains, extraterritorial coverage “means Ohio employees are covered as part of the Ohio workers’ compensation coverage when working temporarily outside Ohio.” In addition, the BWC clarifies that “there is no set limit of time the Ohio extraterritorial coverage applies to employees working temporarily outside Ohio, so long as the work remains incidental to the Ohio employment.”
To clarify, if the work outside Ohio was temporary and is tied to the person’s job in Ohio, then Ohio workers’ compensation coverage is possible.
What If the Work Outside Ohio Occurs on a Regular Basis?
The issue of coverage under Ohio workers’ compensation is more complicated if an employee gets hurt while working outside Ohio on a regular basis. An employer should understand the difference between temporary and regular work outside the state, and should pay for appropriate insurance coverage.
If you got hurt while working outside Ohio for an Ohio employer and your job is based in Ohio, but you regularly do work for this employer outside the state, you will need to see if the employer has Other States coverage. According to the BWC, this is an optional policy that employers can pay for if they routinely send employees outside Ohio for work purposes. If your employer does not have Other States coverage, it may be possible to file a claim in the state where you worked, but this can be complicated.
Most likely, your employer is not insured in that other state, but this does not mean you cannot be compensated. Your employer may be required to take steps to compensate you in addition to paying fines or penalties for lack of coverage.
Contact Me for Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
Did you get hurt while doing a job for your employer outside Ohio? I can help you with your workers’ compensation claim. When you contact me, I will discuss your options with you. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call me today at 877.944.4373 for more information.
