Workplace accidents happen without warning. One moment you’re doing your job, and the next you’re dealing with a traumatic brain injury that changes everything. If you suffered a head injury at work in Ohio, workers’ compensation should cover your medical bills and lost wages. But understanding how the system actually works? That can help you get the benefits you deserve.
Understanding Workers Compensation Coverage
Ohio operates under a no-fault workers’ compensation system. What does that mean for you? You can receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident. Maybe you slipped on a wet floor. Maybe you got hit by falling equipment. Or maybe you were in a vehicle collision while working. Your employer’s workers’ comp insurance should cover your brain injury, no matter what happened.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation administers most workplace injury claims in the state. Some larger employers are self-insured, which means they handle claims directly. Either way, you’re entitled to similar benefits. Brain injuries from workplace accidents qualify for compensation when they occur during the course of employment. This includes injuries that happen:
- While performing your regular job duties
- During work-related travel
- At company events or functions
- While operating the company equipment
Joseph Law Group, LLC understands what brain injury victims face. We’ve helped many Ohio workers get the compensation they need after suffering head trauma on the job. Whether your claim was denied, you’re not receiving adequate benefits, or you simply need guidance through the process, we can help.
Types Of Benefits Available
Workers’ compensation provides several types of benefits for brain injury victims. Medical benefits cover all reasonable and necessary treatment related to your injury. That includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy.
You can also receive temporary total disability benefits if your brain injury prevents you from working during recovery. These payments typically equal two-thirds of your average weekly wage. Not great, but it’s something when you can’t work. If doctors determine you can return to modified or light-duty work, you may qualify for temporary partial disability benefits instead.
Permanent partial disability benefits apply when you have lasting impairments from your brain injury. Ohio uses a schedule to calculate these payments based on the severity and location of your injury. More serious brain injuries may result in permanent total disability benefits, which provide ongoing compensation if you can’t return to any type of work.
Filing Your Claim
Time matters when filing a workers’ compensation claim in Ohio. You must report your injury to your employer within the time limits set by law. Miss this deadline? You could jeopardize your benefits entirely. Your employer then files the initial claim with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The BWC reviews your claim and decides whether to approve or deny it. Many brain injury claims get approved quickly. But some require additional documentation or face initial denials, which is frustrating when you’re already dealing with recovery.
Medical evidence plays a vital role in brain injury claims. Your doctors need to clearly document the injury, connect it to your workplace accident, and explain how it affects your ability to work. Imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs provide objective proof of brain damage that’s hard for insurance companies to dispute.
Common Challenges
Brain injuries present unique challenges in workers’ compensation cases. Some symptoms appear immediately. Others develop gradually over days or weeks. This delayed onset can make it harder to prove your injury stems from a workplace accident, even when you know exactly what happened. Insurance companies sometimes dispute the severity of brain injuries, particularly mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions. They may argue that you can return to work sooner than your doctors recommend. It’s not about your health. It’s about their bottom line.
Working with a Youngstown traumatic brain injury lawyer helps address these challenges. Legal representation becomes particularly important if your claim gets denied or you disagree with the benefits offered. Another common issue involves wage loss calculations. The BWC bases your disability payments on your earnings before the injury. Disputes over your average weekly wage can significantly impact your benefits, sometimes by thousands of dollars over the course of your recovery.
Getting The Help You Need
Brain injuries affect every aspect of your life. You’re dealing with medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time off work. The financial strain hits just when you need stability most. Workers’ compensation exists to ease that burden, but the system can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to recover.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your brain injury or deny you benefits. A Youngstown traumatic brain injury lawyer can review your case, gather the necessary medical evidence, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Reach out today to discuss your workers’ compensation claim and learn about your legal options.
