Jul 3
Gloria & Mike wish all of our friends and clients a safe and happy 4th. Be careful out there. According to our police officer clients, there will be numerous DUI checkpoints. Don’t ruin your holiday fun – if you are going to to party, please make sure you have a designated driver.
© 2010, 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.
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’ve moved and you didn’t inform Ohio Workers’ Compensation that you have a new address. Your benefits are at risk when the BWC has your incorrect address!
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
When an Injured worker files an Appeal to a Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Order, what happens next?
The Ohio Industrial Commission Appeals Process – Hearing Levels
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
“should any part of . . . my settlement or this agreement be challenged and found to be unconstitutional, unlawful, or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the settlement and this acknowledgement and waiver shall remain in full force and effect.”
My fingers are buring as I type this entry. I am outraged by the current actions of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation – not only in the recent low-balling of lump sum settlement top offers, but , insult on injury, requiring Ohio Injured Workers to sign the attached document.
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
I just was informed that an issue pending before the Ohio Industrial Commission is that of an UNREPRESENTED Injured Worker who tried to file an appeal to a BWC claim denial order.
By Mistake, this Injured Worker . . . .
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
State & Municipal workers in Ohio may be eligible for Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (O.P.E.R.S.) Disability Benefits and Ohio Workers’ Compensation benefits as well.
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
$$ Older BWC Claims May Have Hidden Value $$Don’t Walk Away From the Money Hiding in Your Claim. As the expression goes “There’s Gold in them thar Hills !”
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
Your OhioBWC Claim is Labelled Medically Inactive – Your medical bills are not being paid – Your medical care is in limbo – What can you do now?
© 2009, Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's. All rights reserved.
