Once your doctor has released you back to work with restrictions there may be some question about whether your employer must offer you a job within those restrictions. At the time when your doctor releases you back to work most people are anxious to start back. However, there are a number of things to consider when the time comes. Just because your doctor is comfortable with you returning to work, if it is not a release to return to your former position of employment there is no guarantee that your employer will accommodate your restrictions.
What should I do once I have been released with restrictions?
What is Voluntary Abandonment of Employment and How Does it Affect My Compensation?
Many injured workers throughout the state of Ohio come to learn that they are entitled to temporary total disability (TTD) compensation after the allowance of their claim. Temporary total disability compensation is awarded in instances where allowed conditions in a claim prevent an injured worker from returning to their former position of employment for a period greater than seven days. Temporary total disability is meant to provide a disabled worker wages that they would have received had the work place incident not occurred. These benefits are typically paid for a set period of time in which allowed conditions in a claim prevented the injured worker from doing their job. In situations where an injured worker requires surgery due to a work-related injury and needs time to recover before returning to work, they can receive TTD for that period of time away from their job.
What are vocational experts and what role do they have at hearings?
A vocational expert is an impartial expert witness with training, experience, and knowledge of the current labor market, the jobs available in the national economy, and skills needed to perform specific jobs. Vocational experts are almost always called upon to testify at hearings before administrative law judges and their testimony plays a significant role in the judge's decision.
What do I do if my claim is denied?
Your claim may have been denied because you are missing a small piece of required information or medical support for your request. Or your claim may be denied because a legal question exists as to whether or not you are entitled to participate in the Ohio Workers' Compensation Fund for your injury. Either way, you may find yourself needing help to navigate the Ohio BWC system, hearings, and any potential appeals.
What If My Insurance Company Pays for Medical Treatment That Is Related To My Workers' Compensation Claim?
In order for medical treatment to be considered under a workers' compensation claim, an injured worker must first have an allowed claim that encompasses the conditions that treatment is being geared towards. This becomes important when providers are requesting treatment for injured workers. There are situations where a person may choose to have the treatment that is necessary prior to a claim being approved. During this time, medical bills may be submitted to your insurance company. Once your claim is allowed the process of determining what should have been paid as part of your claim can become all consuming.
Can I Receive Workers' Compensation Benefits for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
In this day and age, more employees than ever before are consistently spending their time typing away on a computer. As a result there has been a growing number of individuals being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is what is known as a repetitive use disease. A repetitive use disease occurs when an individual consistently performs the same motion over and over again. As a result nerves, muscles, and tendons naturally begin to deteriorate and become damaged.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are the disability programs managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). While there are many differences between SSDI and SSI, three of the biggest differences are explained below.
Will I get fired if I file a claim?
Nobody goes to work and expects to get hurt. When it happens to you it is likely that you are most concerned with getting treatment and resuming your normal life. One thing that you may not consider is the potential backlash that may receive once you file a workers' compensation claim. A question that is often asked is, "if I file this claim will I be terminated?" The answer is an employer can fire you for any reason but if they fire you for simply filing a workers' compensation claim you should consider taking steps to preserve your right to sue the employer for discrimination.
What treatment services require pre-authorization?
The BWC's MCO standardized prior authorization table
Repetitive Injuries and Workers' Compensation
If you've ever performed a job that required you to repeat the same motion over and over again, then you may not have realized that you could have seriously damaged your muscles and connective tissue in the process. Called repetitive motion injuries, the damage associated with such injuries can take a long time before symptoms present themselves. But in some cases, when symptoms -- such as pain or numbness -- do present themselves, it may be too late to fully correct the damage.
