If you’ve recently been injured on the job in Sandusky, OH, you likely have a right to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to get the benefits you deserve. An experienced Sandusky workers’ compensation lawyer can help you stand up to the insurance companies for the benefits package you deserve.
Our team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has over 181 years of legal experience between us. With over $100 million recovered, we have a proven record of winning tough cases and helping families recover life-changing settlements and verdicts.
If you’re struggling with a workplace injury or illness, you deserve to understand your legal rights. Call our law offices in Sandusky, Ohio at (419) 625-7770 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Can Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers Help You Maximize the Value of Your Sandusky Workers’ Compensation Claim
Workers’ compensation is meant to make things easier for injured workers. In reality, getting money from your employer’s insurance company is rarely easy.
The insurance company will probably try to downplay your injuries. They might challenge your right to benefits entirely. They know you’re under a lot of stress. They’ll use that to convince you to accept benefits that are worth far less than you deserve.
Maximize your financial recovery by getting help from a skilled Sandusky personal injury attorney at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers.
You can count on our law firm to:
- Fully investigate and collect all evidence to support your case
- Force an independent medical examination when the insurance company tries to downplay your injuries
- Handle the paperwork
- Evaluate your rights under Ohio personal injury laws
- Represent you at all hearings on appeal
- Negotiate with the insurance companies for the maximum compensation possible
Don’t wait another day. Call our Sandusky personal injury lawyers to get the legal advice you deserve today.
How Common Are Workplace Accidents in Ohio?
Private employers in Ohio reported 88,600 non-fatal workplace injuries to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2022. 153 fatal workplace accidents were also reported that year.
You might think that most of these accidents and injuries involved dangerous occupations like construction or manufacturing.
In reality, the two industries with the highest rates of injury were:
- Education and health services
- Trade, transportation, and utilities
In 2022, these two industries accounted for 57% of all occupational injuries and illnesses in 2022.
Understanding the Workers’ Compensation System in Ohio
All industries have their own risks. When someone is injured in the workplace, it often has a direct impact on their ability to continue working. To help injured employees get back on their feet, most states have a no-fault workers’ compensation system.
The no-fault workers’ compensation system in Ohio has two key goals:
- Giving injured employees fast financial support without the time and expense of filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Protecting employers from lawsuits when workers are hurt on the job
So, in Ohio, nearly every employer must carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have even one employer. When you suffer a workplace injury you can receive workers’ compensation benefits under your employer’s policy without proving that someone else caused your injuries.
How Do I Know Whether I Qualify for Ohio Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
As a basic rule, you will be eligible for workers’ comp if:
- You were an employee
- You suffered some type of injury or illness while performing work-related duties
- You didn’t intentionally cause the injury or illness
You won’t need proof of negligence to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
What Happens If Someone Challenges My Workers’ Compensation Claim?
You probably do qualify for benefits if you suffered a legitimate workplace injury. Unfortunately, employers and the workers’ compensation insurance companies challenge real claims all the time.
The basis for these challenges varies from case to case, but might include claims that:
- Your injuries weren’t as serious as you claim
- Your injury or illness really happened due to something outside of work
- Your paperwork was incomplete
- You failed to visit an approved doctor
Employers, insurers and even doctors push employers to return to work before they’re ready all the time. It’s even possible that your employer might punish you for claiming your rightful workers’ comp benefits.
It’s always best to hire an experienced attorney to handle these and other challenges you might face. Our lawyers in Sandusky understand the system and we’re prepared to use our skill to your advantage. Give us a call to schedule your 100% free consultation to learn more about your options.
What Types of Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Offer in Ohio?
Workers’ comp provides assistance in two primary areas: medical expenses and income replacement.
Medical Expense Benefits
Workers’ comp should cover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses.
That includes:
- Hospitalization and surgeries
- Doctor’s visits and follow-up appointments
- Nursing care
- Medications and devices
- Travel expenses to and from appointments
Remember that you can’t simply make an appointment with your own doctor. Aside from emergencies, you must see a medical provider that the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has already approved.
Income Replacement Benefits
Your disability benefits cover a portion of your lost wages if your work is restricted for at least seven days due to the injury or illness.
That includes situations where:
- You can’t work at all due to the injury
- Your duties are restricted and you can’t earn as much
Once that’s established, there are several different types of disability benefits:
- Temporary total (TT) disability benefits are available while you recover from a temporary condition that prevents you from working
- Wage loss (WL) benefits for earnings you lose due to restrictions on your duties
- Permanent partial (PP) when you suffer reduced earnings on a permanent basis
- Permanent total disability (PTD) if you’re no longer able to work at all after reaching maximum medical improvement
- Facial disfigurement
- Living expenses while you’re participating in approved rehabilitation
- Death benefits in fatal injury cases
You may also be entitled to receive a lump sum settlement amount. In cases involving long-term disabilities, a lump sum may be preferable to fighting with the insurance companies for years.
What is My Sandusky Workers’ Compensation Case Worth?
As a general matter, your case value depends on:
- Your wages prior to the disability
- The length of your recovery period
- Whether your injuries allow you to earn partial wages
- Whether you were totally or partially disabled
- The nature of your disability
Understanding the available benefits is only the first step to recovering the full compensation you deserve. Insurance companies undervalue workers’ comp cases all the time. An attorney can evaluate your circumstances and help you understand your true case value.
Can I Sue My Employer to Recover Additional Damages If I Was Injured On the Job in Ohio?
The identity of the at-fault party can also be important to your overall compensation award. You can’t sue your employer for damages. If someone else was responsible, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit for damages that workers’ comp doesn’t cover.
For example, if you were hurt in a car crash while working, you can still sue the at-fault driver for damages.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Work-Related Accident in Ohio?
You’re entitled to your benefits even if you caused a workplace accident. However, you lose your right to damages in a personal injury case if you were at least 51% responsible.
Common Examples of Workplace Injuries in Sandusky
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we handle all types of injury claims, including those involving:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Cancer and other occupational illnesses
- Loss of motor function
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Don’t wait to seek medical care if you were hurt on the job. The longer you wait, the easier it is for your employer to challenge your claim.
We Handle All Types of Workplace Accident Claims in Sandusky
We often handle workers’ comp claims involving:
- Construction accidents
- Scaffolding accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Warehouse accidents
- Manufacturing accidents
- Healthcare accidents
- Truck accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Mining accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Electrocution
- Chemical accidents
- Agriculture accidents
- Hospitality industry accidents
If you were hurt on the job, contact us today to learn more about your right to benefits.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for Benefits After a Workplace Accident in Ohio?
You have one year to file a workers’ comp claim in Ohio. However, you should notify your employer as quickly as possible. If you wait, you could lose your benefits.
The statute of limitations in Ohio personal injury cases gives you two years to file a lawsuit against a negligent third party.
Contact a Sandusky Workers’ Compensation Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers is prepared to help you recover every dollar you deserve. If you were injured at work, call for a consultation with a Sandusky workers’ compensation lawyer today.