Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
When you’re hurt on the job, everything in your life changes quickly. Your routine stops. Medical bills begin to stack up. Your paycheck may disappear without warning. In moments like these, you need more than forms and instructions. You need a workers’ compensation lawyer in Cincinnati who understands the Ohio system and knows how to protect your rights from the start.
At Young, Reverman & Bolotin, we guide injured workers and their families through every step of the Ohio work injury claim process. Our attorneys have decades of experience helping people across the Cincinnati area secure the benefits they need to recover, support their families, and move forward after a workplace injury.
Call (513) 400-0000 for a free consultation. No upfront fees.
What Injured Employees Need to Know About Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is Ohio’s statewide system that provides medical treatment and financial support to employees injured while performing their job duties. Whether you work in a Cincinnati office, construction site, distribution center, hospital, or manufacturing plant, workers’ comp is designed to protect you when something goes wrong.
Ohio uses a monopolistic system, meaning most claims go through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). Self-insured employers must follow state rules as well.
Workers’ compensation benefits are available regardless of fault. In exchange, employees usually give up the right to sue their employer for work-related injuries.
Do I need to prove my employer caused the injury?
No. You only need to show the injury happened in the course and scope of your employment.
How Do I Know If My Injury Is Covered by Workers’ Comp?
Eligibility for workers’ comp is pretty straightforward in Ohio. If an injury or illness occurs while performing job duties, it is generally covered.
Examples of covered injuries and illnesses include:
- Falls, slips, and trips
- Injuries involving machinery or tools
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Back, knee, and shoulder injuries
- Chemical exposure
- Trauma from a specific workplace incident
- Aggravation of pre-existing conditions
- Vehicle accidents while driving for work
Injuries that are usually not covered include:
Those caused by intoxication
Self-inflicted injuries
Common illnesses unrelated to work
Injuries that occur entirely off duty
Conditions unrelated to job duties
Table of Contents
Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Ohio
Ohio offers several benefit categories depending on the severity and impact of your injury.
Medical Benefits
Covers necessary medical care including doctor visits, therapy, surgery, medications, and medical equipment.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
Provides income when you cannot work during recovery. Payments are calculated using your full weekly wage (FWW) or average weekly wage (AWW).
Wage Loss Compensation
If you return to work at reduced hours or lower pay, you may qualify for wage loss benefits.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
Provides compensation for lasting impairment, even if you return to work.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
For workers who cannot return to any form of employment.
Facial Disfigurement Awards
A one-time payment for visible facial injuries that may affect employability.
Survivor Benefits
Supports dependents when a worker loses their life due to a job-related injury or disease.
What To Do After a Workplace Injury
Your actions in the days and weeks after an injury at work can affect your claim’s success.
Report the Injury Immediately
Tell your supervisor you were injured as soon as possible. Written documentation helps avoid disputes.
Seek Medical Care
Visit a doctor or emergency room and explain the injury happened at work. Ongoing treatment must be with a BWC-certified provider.
Document Symptoms and Limitations
Keep notes about pain levels, restrictions, and work limitations.
Photograph the Scene and Injuries
Photos and videos help support your claim.
File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
File a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the BWC. Our firm can assist to ensure accuracy.
Call Our Work Injury Lawyers
We handle communication, deadlines, and evidence while you heal.
How to Prove Negligence in a Cincinnati Bicycle Accident Case
A workers’ comp lawyer guides you through the claims process and protects your rights when complications arise. This includes:
Investigating the Injury
We gather reports, witness statements, medical documentation, and employer records.
Preparing and Filing Documents
Accurate documentation can make or break a claim.
Communicating With the BWC and Insurance Representatives
We speak on your behalf to avoid misunderstandings or pressure from adjusters.
Negotiating Settlements
If settlement is appropriate, we pursue the highest amount available based on your injuries and long-term needs.
Representing You at Hearings
If your claim is denied or disputed, we handle all Industrial Commission hearings.
Should I talk to an insurance adjuster on my own?
You can, but it’s not recommended. It is safer to allow your attorney to handle communication.
How Much Does a Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation Attorney Cost?
At Young, Reverman & Bolotin, you pay nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, which means we are paid only if you receive compensation. If you do not win benefits, you owe nothing.
Steps for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim in Ohio
Once the injury has been reported, and you begin medical care, the workers’ compensation claim process moves into several formal stages. These steps relate specifically to the BWC claim, not the immediate actions after an injury.
1
Completing and Submitting the FROI Form
A claim officially begins when the First Report of Injury (FROI) is filed with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. This form can be submitted by you, your employer, or your medical provider. A lawyer at our firm can help ensure it is completed accurately, so the BWC does not delay or reject it due to missing information.
2
BWC Assignment and Initial Review
Once your claim is filed, the BWC assigns a claim number and begins reviewing your injury description, medical records, and job information. You may receive requests for additional documentation. Responding quickly helps avoid delays.
3
Employer Response and Verification
The BWC notifies your employer of the claim and requests verification of your employment status, job duties, and wage information. Employers may support or contest the claim. If they contest it, the BWC will review their reasons and any documentation they provide.
4
BWC Decision on Allowance of the Claim
The BWC issues a written decision stating whether the claim is allowed, disallowed, or partially allowed (for example, approving some conditions but not others). This stage determines what medical conditions are recognized as work-related.
5
Filing a Notice of Appeal if Necessary
If you disagree with the BWC decision, you have the right to file an appeal. An appeal sends your case to the Industrial Commission of Ohio, which handles all hearings and disputes.
6
Industrial Commission Hearing Process
A hearing officer reviews your evidence, listens to both sides, and issues a decision. This may involve multiple hearing levels: District, Staff, and Commission.
7
Approval of Benefits, Ongoing Treatment, and Updates
If your claim is approved, you continue receiving medical care, wage replacement, and any other approved benefits. The BWC may periodically request updated medical information to confirm your progress.
8
Optional Settlement Discussions
At certain stages, you and the employer may consider a workers’ compensation settlement. Your lawyer will evaluate whether a settlement makes sense based on your long-term medical needs and earning capacity.
Employer Responsibilities in Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation Cases
Employers in Ohio must:
- Maintain workers’ comp coverage
- Report workplace injuries
- Submit medical bills
- Provide required documentation
- Cooperate with BWC inquiries
- Offer light duty when appropriate
- Track employee recovery
Failure to meet these responsibilities can affect claim processing.
Your Rights Under Ohio Workers’ Compensation Law
Employers in Ohio must:
File a workers’ comp claim
Receive medical care
Choose your BWC-certified doctor
Appeal any denial
Hire an attorney
Decline settlement offers
Receive benefits regardless of immigration status
Settle your claim when appropriate
What Happens If My Claim Is Denied?
A denial does not end your case. Many claims are approved on appeal.
Ohio’s Appeal Levels:
- District Hearing
- Staff Hearing
- Commission Hearing
Hearings are usually held within 45 days of the appeal filing.
Filing Deadlines in Ohio
- Injury claims: Must be filed within 1 year
- Occupational disease claims: Must be filed within 2 years
Missing these deadlines can prevent benefit recovery.
Independent Contractors and Workers’ Comp
Independent contractors are generally not covered unless they purchase their own BWC coverage. However, misclassification is common. We review each case to determine true employment status.
Can I Be Fired for Filing a Claim?
Employers cannot legally fire you for filing or pursuing a workers’ compensation claim. If a termination seems connected to your injury or claim, you should speak with an attorney immediately.
Can I Sue My Employer?
Most workers cannot sue their employers due to the structure of Ohio’s workers’ compensation system. However, lawsuits may be possible if:
- The employer committed an intentional tort
- A third party caused your injury
- The employer failed to carry required workers’ comp coverage
We evaluate whether third-party or intentional tort claims apply.
What Is My Claim Worth?
Workers’ compensation does not follow the same valuation rules as a typical injury lawsuit. Instead, value is based on factors directly tied to your financial losses and long-term medical needs.
Factors That Influence Claim Value Include:
- The medical conditions the BWC allows
- How long you are unable to work
- Your full weekly wage (FWW) and average weekly wage (AWW)
- Whether your injury causes permanent impairment
- Whether you can return to your job or must change careers
- Expected long-term medical treatment
- Wage loss due to restrictions or job changes
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Workers’ Compensation
How long does an Ohio workers’ compensation claim take?
Most claims receive an initial decision from the Ohio BWC within a few weeks. If the claim is contested, or if additional medical evidence is needed, the process may take several months. Appeals add more time, but many injured workers receive benefits during the process.
Can I choose my own doctor for treatment?
Yes. After your initial emergency care, you can select any BWC-certified provider for ongoing treatment. Choosing someone familiar with the workers’ compensation system often makes your claim easier to manage.
Do I have to return to light-duty work?
If your doctor releases you to light duty and your employer offers a suitable position, you are generally required to return. If the work is outside your restrictions or not truly available, you may still qualify for wage replacement benefits.
Can I receive both workers’ comp and unemployment at the same time?
Not typically. Workers’ compensation covers you when you cannot work because of your injury. Unemployment requires that you be able to work. However, certain wage loss situations may allow different types of benefits. An attorney can review your specific situation.
How long do I have to report a workplace injury?
You should notify your employer right away. Prompt reporting avoids disputes and helps confirm that the injury occurred during the course of your employment. The formal BWC filing deadlines still apply even if you report the injury immediately.
What if my employer says the injury was my fault?
Fault does not matter in Ohio workers’ compensation claims. You can still receive benefits as long as the injury occurred while performing your job duties.
Our Experience With Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation Cases
Our firm has represented injured workers in Cincinnati for more than five decades. We understand how local employers, medical providers, and BWC service offices operate, and we have handled claims involving construction workers, healthcare employees, manufacturing employees, warehouse and distribution center workers, municipal workers, and transportation professionals. Our attorneys regularly appear before the Industrial Commission of Ohio for hearings and appeals on behalf of injured employees across the region.
We Serve Injured Workers in the Cincinnati Area
Young, Reverman & Bolotin represents clients throughout Greater Cincinnati, including:
Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Downtown, Westwood, Hyde Park, Oakley, Mount Healthy, College Hill, and surrounding communities.
Northern Suburbs and Corporate Corridors
Blue Ash, Montgomery, Sharonville, Evendale, Reading, and West Chester.
West Side and River Communities
Delhi Township, Cheviot, Green Township, and neighborhoods along the riverfront.
East Side and I-275 Corridor Communities
Anderson Township, Milford, Loveland, and Clermont County.
Northern Kentucky
Covington, Newport, Florence, Erlanger, and nearby communities.
Contact Our Cincinnati Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Today
If you were injured at work, you deserve a law firm that stands with you, answers your questions, and makes sure your claim is handled correctly. At Young, Reverman & Bolotin, we are committed to securing the benefits you need to recover and protect your future.
Call (513) 400-0000 to schedule your free consultation with a Cincinnati workers’ compensation lawyer.
Do You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Cincinnati, Florence, or Lawrenceburg?
For your convenience, our law firm has several law offices throughout the tri-state area.
