At The Richards Firm, we have handled a number of cases where our clients have both a personal injury claim and a workers’ compensation claim arising from the same incident. We work with other attorneys and law firms who handle workers’ compensation claims on a regular basis.
If you’ve been injured while in the course and scope of your employment, your employer is legally responsible for those injuries. The same is true for illnesses contracted or developed due to working conditions. These situations can be very costly, resulting in missed work, compounding medical bills, and potentially even long-term health issues.
In order to receive the compensation that you are owed, you will need to file for workers’ compensation.
Workers’ compensation (sometimes referred to as “workers’ comp” for short) is a type of insurance that businesses have in place to cover employee injured at work. Though some exceptions can apply, businesses in the state of Ohio are legally required to carry workers’ comp, even if they only have one employee. Workers’ comp is designed to cover, medical expenses, lost time, and other types of compensation that stem from job-related injury or illness.
If you are injured at work, you should report your injury or illness as soon as you become aware of it. Once that has been done, you or your employer may file a workers’ comp claim.
Why Might Workers’ Comp Be Denied?
Some workers’ comp claims are denied for a variety of reasons. If you didn’t report your injury immediately or you failed to file your claim within the allotted period of time (one year in Ohio), your claim may be denied.
In some situations, even if the injury is reported and the claim is filed in a timely matter, your employer may dispute your claim. They might try to say that your injury or illness was caused outside of the course and scope of work or that it stems from a preexisting condition, among other reasons.
For these reasons and more, in the situation where you may have multiple types of claims arising from the same incident, it’s always in your best interest to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. They can help ensure you’ve taken all of the necessary steps, that you’ve gathered the evidence you need, and that everything is properly reported in a timely manner.
At The Richards Injury Firm, your initial consultation is always free. We are able to properly assess your personal claim and are well equipped to work side by side with any workers’ comp attorney you might hire.
Your employer will typically have attorneys working for them against you. It’s important that you have someone who is working for your needs. It’s our goal to make the legal system as simple and accessible as possible.
For a friendly, local personal injury lawyer serving Hamilton, Ohio and the Greater Cincinnati area, contact The Richards Firm today!