Workers’ compensation protects employees with work-related injuries, such as sprains from a fall or burns from chemical exposure. These one-time accidents are easy to visualize because an accident causes an injury to form in an instant.
But what about repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel? Cumulative trauma injuries have a more complex process, and these are becoming an issue across different industries in Ohio.
The strict guidelines of Ohio law
Proving a cumulative trauma injury in Ohio can be more difficult than reporting a sudden slip. While the outcome in Village v. General Motors Corp. treats this kind of injury as compensable, you need to effectively explain how your work injury gradually developed due to job duties. This involves establishing crucial evidence.
The important facts to present
In Ohio, the BWC needs extensive evidence, which generally includes the following:
- Physician’s notes: A doctor’s statement on how your work duties were the proximate cause of the injury to a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Diagnostic evidence: A compilation of diagnostic imaging, laboratory test results and clinical examination findings
- MEDCO-14 form: A BWC form that a doctor must sign to document your physical restrictions and inability to work
- Ergonomic evaluations: An ergonomic expert’s insights on how your job tasks can cause specific injuries
Gathering these documents may take time, so it is best to acquire them as soon as possible. In Ohio, you must file within one year from the date the disability began or within such longer period as does not exceed six months after diagnosis by a licensed physician.
Taking action with promptness
Repetitive stress injuries may have a complex claims process, but it is possible to seek compensation. Facing the strict regulations requires legal help. A workers’ compensation attorney can provide the guidance you need in navigating Ohio’s nuanced landscape.