How do I file a First Report of Injury (FROI) in Ohio?

You, your employer, or your healthcare provider can file the First Report of Injury (FROI) online or by mail with the Ohio BWC. Include a clear description of the incident, date, body parts involved, and treating provider information. Errors or omissions slow the claim or lead to denial, so many workers have an attorney review the FROI before submission.

What happens during the BWC’s 28-day decision period?

After the FROI is filed, the BWC gathers records, contacts the employer and managed care organization (MCO), and reviews medical documentation. You may be asked for additional details or records. At the end of the process, the BWC issues an order allowing or denying the claim.

What role does a Managed Care Organization (MCO) play in my claim?

The MCO coordinates medical management: it reviews treatment requests, authorizes services, and helps schedule care. It does not determine legal entitlement to benefits—that is the BWC’s role. If the MCO denies or delays treatment authorization, you or your attorney can challenge the decision.

Can I choose or change my BWC-certified physician?

Yes. You may choose any BWC-certified provider and you can change providers if needed. Many workers begin with a company-referred physician but later select their own doctor for continuity of care and stronger documentation. Be sure the provider is listed as BWC-certified before switching.

Are mileage and medical devices covered under Ohio workers’ comp?

Reasonable and necessary medical expenses are generally covered, including doctor visits, imaging, therapy, surgery, prescriptions, and approved medical devices. Mileage reimbursement may be available for travel to authorized medical appointments. Keep receipts and logs; submit them promptly according to BWC guidance.

Do I have to accept a light-duty job offer?

If your treating physician releases you to restricted duty, you are expected to accept suitable light duty that fits your medical restrictions. If the assignment violates restrictions or is unsafe, speak with your doctor and attorney immediately so they can document limits and address the employer’s offer.

How do I check my BWC claim status and allowed conditions?

You can review your claim status, allowed conditions, and correspondence through the BWC’s online portal or by requesting your claim file. Confirm that all injured body parts and diagnoses appear as allowed conditions; if something is missing, talk with your doctor and attorney about adding it.

Can I add new conditions after my claim is allowed?

Yes. If additional diagnoses arise from the same incident, you can request to add conditions by submitting supporting medical evidence. This is typically done via a motion to the BWC. Strong medical documentation linking the new condition to the injury is essential.

Who pays my medical bills and can providers balance-bill me?

Once the BWC or a self-insured employer allows the claim and authorizes treatment, approved medical bills are paid at the applicable fee schedule. Providers generally should not balance-bill you for covered services. If you receive a bill, notify your provider and contact your attorney to correct the payment channel.

What should I bring to my first meeting with a workers’ comp lawyer?

Bring the injury report, any BWC or employer letters, medical records, imaging, prescriptions, work restrictions, pay stubs, and a summary of your job duties and how the injury happened. Organized documents help the attorney assess timelines, fix gaps in proof, and protect your rights from day one.

Ohio Workers' Compensation Attorney: Protect Your Rights

Ohio Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Protecting Injured Workers

Worker's Compensation Attorneys Ohio

Ohio’s workers’ compensation system exists to protect employees who are injured or become ill because of their jobs. Nearly every employer must carry coverage or prove it is self-insured. When injuries happen, working with an Ohio workers’ compensation attorney helps ensure you receive the medical treatment, partial wage replacement, and support the system is supposed to provide.

Unfortunately, the system does not always work the way it should. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is a government agency, not your advocate. Employers and insurers often look for ways to limit or deny claims. A missed deadline, an error in paperwork, or a dispute over how the injury occurred can leave workers without the benefits they need.

That’s where Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault make the difference. For more than 70 years, our Toledo workers’ compensation lawyers have stood up for employees across Northwest Ohio. From factory workers at Jeep in Toledo, to nurses in Findlay, to construction workers in Defiance, we know the risks Ohioans face on the job — and we know how to fight for every benefit the law allows.

Your Rights Under Ohio Workers’ Compensation

If you suffer an injury at work, Ohio law gives you clear rights. These protections ensure you receive proper treatment and fair compensation. You have the right to:

Receive an independent medical exam and treatment for all job-related injuries or illnesses.
Have your employer or its insurer pay all approved medical bills related to your injury.
Access your full claim records and medical documentation.
Appeal any denial to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), your Managed Care Organization (MCO), or the Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC).
Get timely payment of benefits for every allowed claim.
Represent yourself in disputes or hire an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer to fight on your behalf.

The Four Main Categories of Benefits

Ohio law provides four main categories of workers’ compensation benefits.

Medical Expenses – Coverage for doctor visits, hospital care, surgeries, prescriptions, and ongoing rehabilitation related to your injury.
Wage Loss Compensation – Replacement income if your injury forces you into lower-paying work or prevents you from finding suitable employment.
Disability Benefits – Monetary awards for permanent partial disability or permanent total disability. These can also include negotiated lump sum settlements.
Death Benefits – Compensation to surviving family members in the event of a fatal workplace accident, often paid through a negotiated lump sum settlement.

Filing a workers’ compensation claim in Ohio

To start a claim, you, your doctor, or your employer must file a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). The BWC has 28 days to approve or deny the claim. Errors or missing details on the form are a common cause of denial, so it’s smart to consult an attorney before filing. A lawyer can make sure your application is complete, reduce the risk of rejection, and protect your right to benefits from the start.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

If you suffer a workplace injury — even a minor one — report it to your employer right away and get medical treatment. The claims process begins when you, your medical provider, or your employer files a First Report of Injury (FROI) with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). This first filing carries enormous weight. A mistake or omission can hurt your case before it even begins.

The BWC has 28 days to approve or deny the claim. Many workers believe the BWC is their advocate, but it functions more like a state-run insurance company. Its focus is on controlling costs, which often means siding with employers rather than injured workers.

On paper, the process looks simple. In reality, your approval depends on small details: how the claim is described, how quickly medical records are submitted, and whether your employer’s account matches your own. Even a small inconsistency can trigger a denial.

That’s why having an experienced Toledo workers’ compensation attorney early in the process is critical. Our lawyers know what reviewers look for, what red flags can delay or block approval, and how to present your case clearly and effectively. We make sure your rights are protected from the very first step.

Why Claims Are Denied

Many valid workers’ compensation claims in Ohio still get denied. Employers and insurers fight them because each approved claim raises premiums. Disputing claims shifts costs away from the employer. When disputes arise, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) acts as referee between you and your employer.

Denials often come down to technical issues such as:

Filing the claim too late.
Medical records that conflict with the injury report.
An accident description that is incomplete or unclear.
Employer claims the injury happened off the job or outside your duties.
Employer argues you are not an employee.

If the BWC denies your claim, you have 14 days to appeal. The case then goes to the Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC). At the hearing, both sides present evidence. The IC often orders another medical exam before making a final decision.

Hearings can feel overwhelming, especially when employers bring legal teams. A skilled Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer levels the playing field. At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we appear before the Industrial Commission every week. We know how to counter employer tactics, expose weak evidence, and fight for the benefits you deserve.

Common Workplace Injuries in Northwest Ohio

Many of Northwest Ohio’s largest industries also carry a high risk of workplace injury. Our attorneys frequently represent workers in:

Automotive manufacturing – Workers at Toledo Jeep and supplier plants face repetitive stress, crush injuries, and heavy lifting accidents.
Healthcare – Nurses, aides, and hospital staff in Findlay, Toledo, and Fremont often suffer shoulder, back, and joint injuries from patient handling.
Construction and skilled trades – Falls, fractures, and heavy-equipment accidents occur frequently in Defiance, Sandusky, and Hancock Counties.
Transportation and logistics – Truck drivers and warehouse workers endure crush injuries, lifting injuries, and long-term restrictions that cut earning potential.

These industries drive Ohio’s economy. But when injuries happen, workers need attorneys who know their jobs and understand the local systems that decide their claims.

How GT&B Fights for Injured Workers

At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we do more than file forms — we fight for outcomes. We ensure medical records reflect your true restrictions. We challenge denials before the Industrial Commission. We pursue wage loss compensation when your income drops. We negotiate lump sum settlements that cover both current medical bills and future lost earnings. We also stand with families in wrongful death claims.

Our attorneys appear before BWC and IC hearing officers in Lucas, Hancock, Sandusky, Defiance, Allen, Richland, Erie, and Wood Counties every week. We know the process. We know the people. And we know how to win results for injured workers.

Protect Your Rights After a Workplace Injury

Ohio’s workers’ compensation laws are complicated. Many injured employees lose benefits because they don’t understand the process. For more than 70 years, Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault has helped workers across Northwest Ohio secure the full benefits they deserve.

If you’ve been hurt at work, don’t let deadlines, paperwork mistakes, or employer disputes cost you compensation. Call 419-843-6663 or use our convenient online form to schedule a free consultation at one of our nine Ohio offices.

You pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we win your case.

An injury may change your routine, but it should not take away your financial stability or your future. Our team will fight for your benefits and stand with you at every step.

Ohio Workers’ Compensation Attorney