Ohio Workers Compensation Insurance: What Employees Should Know

When employees are injured on the job, they may face physical issues, medical bills, lost wages, and serious personal difficulty.  Ohio law protects these injured employees by requiring Ohio employers to carry worker’s compensation insurance. 

But how does workers compensation insurance work?  Does your employer have coverage?  And what happens if your employer did not have insurance at the time of your on-the-job injury?

For answers to these and other questions, check out our quick guide below.  But remember: if you or a loved one suffered a work-related injury, you need to contact an Ohio workers compensation lawyer to protect your rights and claims.  Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA’s experienced attorneys can help you cut through the red tape and maximize your workers compensation award.

How Workers Compensation Insurance Works

Most people have heard of workers compensation.  Someone gets injured at work, they apply for benefits, and they receive money.  But where does that money come from?  Many people are not so clear on this question.

Workers compensation benefits are paid for by workers compensation insurance.  And workers comp insurance is a lot like any other type of insurance.  Employers pay a certain amount of money per employee—healthy or unhealthy—to purchase insurance coverage; these are premiums, just like you pay on car or health insurance.  When a covered injury occurs, the fund created by the statewide payment of employers’ premiums pays benefits to the injured worker.

Ohio Employers Generally Must Carry Workers Compensation Insurance

With few exceptions, employers in Ohio are required by law to carry workers compensation insurance.  Employers may pay premiums to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Comp and thereby obtain insurance coverage through the state fund.  Alternatively, employers may—with state approval—be considered self-insured and take on liability for work-related injuries.

There are coverage exceptions for volunteers and in-home employees who fall below earnings thresholds.

What If an Employer Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Ohio law is designed to penalize employers who fail to obtain workers compensation insurance or allow coverage to lapse.  Employers who do not maintain coverage at the time an injury occurs must reimburse the BWC all costs/benefits paid to an injured worker.  Employers are also subject to penalties and fees for failing to pay premiums on time.

Finally, Ohio law extends employers the protection of injury liability (except intentionally caused injuries) for workers covered by workers comp.  If an employer fails to provide workers compensation insurance, though, this protection is revoked and the employee may bring a negligence or other injury action against the employer.

Ohio Workers Compensation Lawyers are Here to Help You

If you or your loved one were injured at work and you have questions, Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA’s attorneys are here to help.  Call or email now for your free consultation and find out how we can expedite your claim and maximize your recovery.