Yesterday, I received a call from a prospective client regarding a workers’ compensation claim. This injured worker stated that the employer stated that it did not have any BWC coverage, so a claim should not be made.
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© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
If you move and forget to notify the OhioBWC that you have moved, all mail and notices of hearings and/or orders will not get to you. This could set your claim back by forcing you to request a special hearing at the Ohio Industrial Commission to undo the problem facing your claim because you didn’t receive notice of claim actions. Don’t let this happen.
Make sure you contact your attorney.
If you don’t have an attorney, you should get one. And you should have a Board Certified Ohio Workers’ Compensation Attorney Specialist handling your claim. Mike Gruhin is a Board Certified Specialist.
But if you still want to go it alone, just download the Change of Address Form from the BWC library,and fax it to the BWC at 1-877-520-OHIO (6446).
For a free, no obligation consultation with a Board Certified Ohio Workers’ Compensation Specialist Attorney, Call or email Mike Gruhin. Think Workers’ Comp – Think Gruhin!
© 2009 – 2011, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
The Industrial Commission (IC) of Ohio conducts over 180,000 hearings annually and most of these hearings take place within 45 days of the original claim appeal. Since 1912, the IC has been resolving issues between parties who have a dispute in a workers’ compensation claim. Read the rest of this entry »
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
Pursuant to Ohio Law, if an injured worker does not apply for and receive his/her permanent partial disability award, the claim is considered medical only. For injuries that took place on or after October 25, 2006, amedical only claim terminates after 5 years, even if you are still in need of and/or undergoing active medical treatment. The same is true for claims that occurred prior to 10/25/06, but those medical only claims terminate 6 years after the date of injury. Don’t let your claim die !
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
Many employers refuse to settle workers’ compensation claims while the claim is in their experience rating period. That rating period for most state fund employers is 5 years. After the 5 year period, any settlement, no matter what the amount, is not charged to the employer’s risk. How do you calculate the end of the 5 year period?
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
Self-insured claim overview – what injured workers should know (as published on the OhioBWC Website)QUOTE ”As an employee of a self-insuring employer, we want to help you understand the claims process.
Claim number assignment – Injuries resulting in seven or fewer calendar days of disability do not need a BWC claim number unless the employer denies the claim.” ENDQUOTE
WRONG WRONG WRONG - If you do not file your claim with the OhioBWC, you do not get a claim number. Without a claim number, your injury does not exist as far as the OhioBWC is concerned. If you do not file your claim application (FROI-1)with the OhioBWC within the statutory mandated time limit (Statute of Limitations) you will be precluded from filing your claim. You will not obtain the injury award for the damage done to your body.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LOSE 7 DAYS OF WORK TO BE ENTITLED TO YOUR INJURY MONEY AWARD AND MEDICAL BENEFITS! Don’t be misled!
ALSO, your claim will NOT be delayed if you file your injury application with the BWC. That starts the statutory process. You can also give your self-insured employer a copy of the BWC claim application (FROI-1). But, if, for whatever reason you do not want to obtain legal representation, make sure you file the form with the OhioBWC as soon as possible. You can fax the form to the BWC 1-877-520-OHIO (6446) or you can bring it to the BWC office nearest to your home or work.
Many times, our clients say “But the BWC CSS told us that we should do it this way, not the way you are doing it”. Based on the above, would you bet your claim on a BWC employed CSS or on your attorney, who is working for you, and who is trained in the law and the BWC procedures?
Remember, your lawyer only gets paid if he/she obtains an award benefit on your behalf. The CSS, employer by the BWC, has the BWC’s interests in mind – saving money on claim payouts.
If you don’t already have a board certified specialist attorney representing you in your BWC claim, GET ONE. Remember, the BWC has it’s lawyers (to protect it and save it from paying out money) and the Employer has its lawyers (to fight claims to keep their premium payments as low as possible). So, who is representing you?
For help, care, & protection, Call Gruhin & Gruhin (800) 861-5555.
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
You are found to be at MMI. Your temporary total disability ends. Now what?
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
Yesterday I got a call from a client informing me that he was called by his MCO and was told that he is putting his company out of business because, through our office, the client was awarded his permanent partial compensation benefit (the money for his injury). Imagine my surprise at such a conversation which was initiated by an entity whose only job is to oversee medical treatment authorizations and payment for such treatment.
My client felt bad about the call from the MCO until I explained who/what the MCO is/does. And why such information from the MCO is inaccurate.
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
I was called by a prospective client about her BWC claim and the fact that she could not get authorized for treatment. After talking to her for a few minutes it became obvious that I needed to speak with her doctor. So, I call the doctor and ask about the treatment that he requested on the C9 authorization form. I was dumbfounded by his comments during the conversation! Here is the skinny on our discussion.
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
Hurt your ankle or knee? Limping as a result? Forced to use crutches?
Putting more weight on other/opposite body parts while you try to lessen the pain to the injured body part as you walk? Is your back starting to hurt because you are walking with a limp? If so, read on!
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.