Ohio Workers Compensation Attorneys
LEGAL MATTERS HANDLED PERSONALLY SINCE 1957
In 2018, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation denied or dismissed 12.4 percent of all claims for replacement wages and coverage of medical bills. That means about 1 in 8 Ohio workers who suffered on-the-job injuries or accidental deaths at work or who developed occupational illnesses could not count on the state government program whose only purpose is to assist them.
This statistic makes us think about how many of those people could have been properly taken care of if they had an experienced and skilled Ohio workers’ compensation attorney on their side. If your Ohio workers’ compensation claim has been disallowed or dismissed, Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP can help.
We Are a Voice for Ohio Workers
Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP has been representing individuals who sustain work-related injuries across Ohio for over 65 years. Since 1957, our team has been passionate about helping employees get the benefits they need and deserve to recover.
We do not represent businesses or insurance companies–only people like you and your family. Our legal team has extensive experience representing workers across a broad spectrum of industries and occupations, including:
- Airlines
- Construction
- Education
- Emergency medical services
- Firefighters
- Government
- Ground transportation
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing and assembly
- Police
- Restaurants and hospitality
- Retail
- Trucking
- Warehousing
- And many more
Should you decide to seek legal counsel, Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP is here to help. With us, you will have an Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer and paralegal by your side as your advocate to protect your rights, fight your case, and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
Reasons Your Worker’s Compensation Claim Was Denied
Workers’ compensation claims in Ohio are denied for many reasons.
Often, people wait too long to submit their applications. They apply within the far-too-short one-year statute of limitations but fail to include all the necessary medical evidence.
More often than not, and no matter what a workers’ compensation applicant does, the person’s employer contests the claim. Businesses hate seeing their employees receive workers’ compensation benefits because each successful claim potentially increases their insurance rates.
Managers and supervisors will try all kinds of arguments to convince the Ohio workers’ compensation program that an employee either was not doing authorized work or was negligent and harmed themselves.
The high rate of rejected workers’ compensation claims inspires Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP to fight even harder for our clients.
How an Ohio Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help
As an experienced workers’ compensation law firm, Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP walks you through each stage of the process when filing or appealing a workers’ compensation claim.
- We help clients file accident or incident reports to make sure they’re complete and accurate, assist with completing workers’ compensation application forms, and facilitate the collection and submission of medical records.
- Should your application be denied, our attorneys file appeals, gather additional evidence, and stand ready to take on the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation anywhere in Ohio to secure the replacement wages and medical care you have earned and are entitled to.
- Our team will also examine the facts of each case to see if grounds exist for filing a third-party personal injury or wrongful death claim. Ohio laws make it nearly impossible for employees to sue their employers for job-related injuries, but the maker of a defective tool or a negligent driver can absolutely be held accountable for harming a person who was just doing their job.
We Protect You Even After Your Ohio Workers’ Compensation Claim
As Ohio workers’ compensation attorneys, we have seen too many employers retaliate against employees who file injury or illness claims and call attention to safety issues.
Even though it is illegal to demote, reassign, or fire an employee for exercising their rights under Ohio law, it still happens because people don’t feel like they can challenge or fight these illegal practices, and employers think they can get away with it.
Not on our watch. Our employment law attorneys do not shy away from workplace retaliation and wrongful termination lawsuits, so if we need to shift from being your workers’ compensation attorney to your employment law attorney, we have the knowledge and experience to do just that and make sure you’re protected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation Claims in Ohio
We advise hiring an attorney for your workers’ compensation case if:
- Your claim is denied
- Benefits are delayed
- You have a severe injury
- Your ability to work is affected long-term
- You are offered a lump sum settlement
- Your employer disputes your claim
- You have a pre-existing condition
- A third party is in some way liable for your injury
A workers’ compensation lawyer can navigate complex legal procedures, gather necessary medical evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in hearings.
They can also help calculate the true value of your claim, including future medical costs and lost wages. Lawyers often secure higher settlements and can advise you on related benefits like Social Security Disability or associated claims like personal injury claims.
For many of our clients, having an attorney as their advocate and guide during this difficult time provides the assurance they need that they have done everything to get their claim approved.
In the state of Ohio, you only have one year from the date of the discovered injury to file your claim. It’s crucial not to delay filing if you believe you have grounds for a claim, as waiting is one of the primary reasons most claims are denied.
No. It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for filing workers’ compensation claims or hiring a lawyer. This includes firing, demoting, reducing hours, or any other adverse action. However, this does not stop many employers from engaging in these unethical practices. If you experience retaliation, you may have grounds for additional legal action against your employer.
Talk to an Ohio Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
We encourage anyone who has sustained a workplace injury to seek the advice of a professional Ohio workers’ compensation attorney to secure their best chance at obtaining compensation. Contact Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP today at (614) 221-4221 or reach us online to schedule a free consultation.
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