Getting injured on the job is awful. No retail worker thinks they’ll break their arm falling off a ladder, but it happens every day. When you’re injured on the job, or you’ve been diagnosed with an occupational-related illness, you owe it to yourself to file a workers’ compensation claim. Injuries and illnesses can have long-term, costly ramifications.

While many workers’ compensation cases can be resolved without the help of an attorney, there are always going to be situations where it’s best to have legal help. Here’s an overview of how an attorney can assist.

• They’ll find out how your workplace injury affects you. Your workplace injury might be a one-time problem like a broken arm, or a bigger issue like carpal tunnel syndrome. When you have a complex, long-term injury, it’s worth hiring a lawyer to help you navigate the system.
• They’ll perform a thorough investigation. If you hire a workers’ compensation lawyer, they’ll investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury. Issues like safety protocols and the workplace itself are important to their findings.
• They’ll review the BWC ruling and appeal if necessary. Your lawyer will also help you file your workers’ compensation claim. If the BWC rules against you—or their findings are less than desirable—your attorney can help you appeal the ruling. You should be covered under workers’ compensation laws, and your lawyer will help ensure you get your bills covered.
• They’ll look into third-party liability. Generally, if you file a workers’ compensation claim, you won’t be able to sue your lawyer for negligence or other issues. However, if one or more third parties were responsible, you might be able to hold them liable for your injuries. Since workers’ compensation only covers medical bills, lost wages and related damages, you might be eligible to recover a lot more. Only an attorney can tell you whether that applies to your case, however.

Remember, you only have a year from the date of your injury (or the date you discovered your injury or illness) to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, don’t leave it up to chance. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you make the best case possible—especially if you need to involve third parties or make an appeal.

Call an Ohio Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured on the job, you deserve full compensation. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at 877.614.9524 today for a consultation.