Gruhin & Gruhin Attorney's » Injured

Injured on the job in Ohio – get a Board Certified Ohio BWC Specialist Attorney

Mike Gruhin — Wed, 11 May 2011 00:26:27 +0000

Injured on the job in Ohio? You need a Board Certified Ohio Workers’ Compensations Specialist Attorney

Ohio BWC – Changing the Settlement Process

Mike Gruhin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:27:40 +0000

Information received indicates that, effective 1-1-2010, the Ohio BWC will impose NEW rules regarding BWC settlement offers:

1) A response must be made within 7 days. Failure to respond will result in settlement application dismissal;

2) Once the settlement figure is agreed, the BWC will issue a C241 form to confirm the settlement amount. If the Injured Worker does not sign and return the C241 within 14 days of the BWC mailing, the settlement application will be dismissed.

Of course, there is no limit on how long it might take BWC to make an offer. .

At times, an Injured Worker can wait 3-6 or more months before the BWC will even make an offer. What is good for the Goose should be good for the Gander. But not in reality. Is this just another example of the Ohio BWC “concern” for Ohio’s Injured Workers?

Currently, we are seeing very low offers to settle claims. We believe it is due to the 2008 Internal Audit of the BWC, which stated their procedures needed modification. This audit resulted in no settlements being made for a very long period of time.

Furthermore, we believe that the BWC is “low-balling” settlements to take advantage of the economy and the Injured Workers’ need for funds due to layoff, etc. The settlement offers being made are in many cases egregiously low.

Citizens of Ohio must make their elected officials aware of the “anti-worker” sentiment that is now rampant in the Ohio BWC. This situation must be remedied.

Can This Be Happening in Ohio? – OUTRAGEOUS Settlement Requirement

Mike Gruhin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:56:02 +0000

“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.

I can understand a low ball offer, he who has the gold has the power and an injured worker is not forced to settle his/her claim. But, then you have the attached document that the BWC forces the injured worker to sign.

The OhioBWC is under attack in its use of its own ‘special life chart and present value chart’ regarding lump sum settlements. So, despite the fact that the BWC may be wrong. Despite the fact that it is not fulfilling is ‘Pledge to Injured Workers’. we have the ‘get out of jail card’.

If this outrages you, contact the Governor and your state representatives. Ask them for corrective action. Don’t let all of your rights get taken away!

Ohio House of Representatives

Ohio Senate

Governor

Unrepresented ? – Don’t make the big mistake!

Mike Gruhin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:09:47 +0000

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 . . . .

sent in the wrong form. She sent in a form stating she was waiving the appeal period of the order when she meant to send in the form appealing the order. Don’t let this happen to you!

Unrepresented Injured Workers are ‘easy prey’ for the BWC and/or the attorney represented Employer.

If you are injured on the job, immediately file an injury report, tell a co-wokrer, get medical attention that same day (preferably immediately after the injury) and contact a Board Certified Workers’ Comp specialist attorney. Don’t make the mistake of going it alone.