If you’ve been injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits can be a lifeline—covering medical bills, lost wages, and more while you recover. But one wrong move can put those benefits at risk.

Ohio’s workers’ comp system has strict rules, and even honest mistakes can lead to denied claims or reduced compensation. Here are seven common missteps that injured workers need to avoid—and how to protect yourself if you’ve been injured at work:

1. Failing to Report the Injury Immediately: Timing matters. Waiting days or weeks to report your injury to your employer could lead them—or the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)—to question the legitimacy of your claim.
2. Not Seeking Medical Treatment Right Away: Delaying medical care doesn’t just put your health at risk—it also weakens your claim. Prompt documentation of your injury creates a clear record that ties your condition to the workplace accident.
3. Seeing the Wrong Doctor: In Ohio, injured workers must choose a provider certified by the BWC. If you see an uncertified doctor, your treatment might not be covered, and it could complicate your entire claim.
4. Not Following Medical Advice: Skipping appointments, ignoring treatment plans, or returning to work against doctor’s orders can all be used against you. If it looks like you’re not taking your recovery seriously, your benefits could be reduced or stopped entirely.
5. Giving Inconsistent or Incomplete Information: Whether you’re talking to your employer, the BWC, or a healthcare provider, consistency matters. Contradictions in your story—even unintentional ones—can create red flags and lead to denials.
6. Missing Deadlines: Ohio workers’ comp claims are time-sensitive. Miss a filing deadline or fail to respond to a BWC request, and you could lose your right to benefits entirely. Stay on top of paperwork and timelines.
7. Not Talking to an Attorney Early On: You’re not required to have a lawyer—but navigating the system alone is risky. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help protect your rights, especially if your claim is contested or denied.

Don’t Let a Simple Mistake Derail Your Claim

The workers’ compensation process isn’t always fair—but you don’t have to face it alone. The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you get the benefits you’re entitled to. When you’re facing the consequences of unsafe working conditions, I’ll Make Them Pay!^® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so that I can evaluate your case right away.