Every worker has the right to a safe and healthy work environment. However, for some industrial and construction workers, the work environment is inherently more dangerous because of the nature of the work. While the employer is required to take precautionary steps in workplace safety, exposure isn't always successfully avoided by the employee. Occupational diseases could be the result of exposure to silica dust.
Two types of rehabilitation when receiving workers' comp
If you or a loved one is receiving rehabilitation after suffering a workplace injury, there are really two types of activities that could be going on. One is the traditional medically-related rehabilitation, one that challenges your body or mind or return to the condition it was pre-work injury. The other rehabilitation concerns "vocational" rehabilitation. In many states, injured workers who cannot return to their former employment are entitled to this type of rehabilitation at the expense of their employer's workers' compensation carrier.
When are workers' compensation benefits available?
Knowing when workers' compensation benefits may be available is important for workers who have been injured on the job. Injured workers likely have a variety of questions associated with the availability of workers' compensation benefits.
Help with a workers' compensation claim
There are a variety of issues that can go wrong with a workers' compensation claim, just when injured workers and their families may need the benefits the most. The law behind a workers' compensation claim is something that injured workers and their families need to know to claim the benefits they likely badly need following a workplace accident or injury.
The process of getting workers' compensation benefits in Ohio
Knowing how to respond following a workplace accident and what steps to take next can be essential for injured workers. The period of time following a workplace accident can be difficult for injured workers as they are unable to work and face mounting medical bills to treat their injury. Obtaining the right medical care and needed benefits can be critical to getting their lives back to normal, which is why workers' compensation benefits are important to understand.
Workers' compensation basics for Ohio workers
Workers' compensation protects workers harmed in the workplace regardless of the circumstances which is why it is a valuable resource for them to understand. Workers' compensation benefits can apply in circumstances when a worker has suffered a workplace injury, workplace accident or a workplace illness. There are important timelines that apply to filing a workers' compensation claim that so it also important to be familiar with what those are.
Opioid dependency decreases for injured workers in Ohio
For the sixth straight year, the number of injured Ohio workers dependent on opioids has decreased. There were 3,315 injured workers who are clinically dependent on opioids as of June 30, a 19 percent drop from last year and a 59 percent decrease since 2011.
Workers' compensation benefits for pre-existing conditions
Workers' compensation provides payment for medical expenses and lost wages to Ohio workers who are injured on the job. Temporary total disability benefits are available to workers who are temporarily unable to return to work and permanent total disability benefits are available to those who are permanently unable to return to work. Workers who, because of their injury, are limited in their ability to work, may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits. Other wage loss benefits, including vocational rehabilitation and living maintenance are also available to workers who require additional assistance.
Bureau of Workers' Compensation rolls out free wellness program
A previous blog post announced that the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) would be rolling out a new wellness program in early 2018 as part of its plan to focus on wellness and workplace safety. The wellness program is now in effect, providing health and wellness resources to employers with 50 or fewer employees in high-risk industries across Ohio.
New Ohio rule regarding opioids for workers with back injuries
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) has targeted the opioid addiction epidemic by establishing a new rule regarding workers with back-related injuries. Ohio has seen many negative effects from the opioid overdose crisis, which experts attribute to prescription painkiller addictions that progress into heroin addictions. The BWC rule is similar to those in other states, which decline immediate payment for surgery, requiring injured workers to first try other remedies such as physical therapy and chiropractic care. However, the BWC takes it a step further by including an opioid warning in its surgical restriction.
