Upon receiving a claim, the Industrial Commission is required to refer the file to an "appropriate district hearing officer" in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission under R.C.§ 4121.36. Th Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) identifies what an "appropriate district hearing officer " is. The OAC requires the scheduling of hearings before a district hearing officer from the Industrial Commission service office in the city nearest the claimant's residence, or for out-of-state claimants, from the service office nearest the claimant's home if the service office is within one hundred and fifty miles thereof, or in Columbus for those claimants who live more that one hundred and fifty miles for an Industrial Commission service office, unless otherwise directed.
The Hearing Process
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.
Industrial workplace accident at Ohio steel plant injures 4
Industrial safety is something that is easily taken for granted. Every time an industrial accident occurs, the reaction from the company is usually a reaffirmation that worker safety is a top priority, and that it is always taken seriously. And in some cases, that is probably true.
Ohio man is among 9 workers injured in building collapse
While it may be true that those engaging in asbestos removal understand the risk of workplace injuries, on account of exposure to a substance known to cause cancer, dangers from other sources are not necessarily foreseeable.
Over 5,000 worker amputations have occurred since 2005
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has recently released statistics that show over 5,000 Ohio workers have suffered amputation injuries since 2005. The data shows 5,405 workers' compensation claims related to such injuries were made between 2005 and 2012. Officials say many of these injuries are non-life-threatening and involve losing fingertips or thumbs. However, these injuries are serious and may leave workers with a physical handicap, render them unable to work, and throw a wrench in their financial stability.
Semi-truck strikes hydraulic lift, injures two workers
Most people have driven through construction zones at one time or another. They have seen the orange cones or barrels to mark closed lanes, reduced speed limit signs, and men and women at work on the roadway. Despite all the safety precautions taken to protect workers, job-related accidents still occur on an all too regular basis. Some of these accidents are caused by negligent drivers while others are caused by unsafe working conditions.
BWC awards nine grants for safety intervention
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Administration has announced nine grants that were awarded to employers to reduce illness and injuries in the workplace. The Bureau has agreed to a $3 match for every $1 an employer contributes to the safety intervention programs in an effort to increase worker safety and reduce workers' compensation expenses. The grants are to be used to purchase several pieces of equipment meant to prevent injuries such as those attributed to repetitive motion, awkward posture, and slips and falls.
Mental health problems not necessarily covered by workers' comp.
The Ohio Supreme Court has handed down a ruling that has some workers' compensation advocates disgruntled. The decision, which held a mental-health claim is covered by workers' compensation only if it is related to a physical injury, derived from an accident where a vehicle slammed into the back of a company truck, killing the driver of the first vehicle. The driver of the company truck was physically injured and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. The Ohio Supreme Court found there was not enough evidence to establish the physical injuries were a cause of the post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ohio companies fail to pay workers' comp premiums
Thousands of Ohio companies are in trouble for failing to pay their most recent workers' compensation premium. Failure to pay this premium has a negative effect on businesses that actually do pay because it drives up insurance costs. Failure to pay also places injured workers at risk because there may not be insurance to cover workplace injuries.
Time for Ohio employers to choose managed care plans
By May 25, Ohio employers must decide whether to remain with their current managed care plan or to choose a new managed care organization to provide services to employees who suffer from job-related accidents and injuries.
