{"id":46816,"date":"2018-06-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-06-05T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skolnicklaw.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/what-can-you-do-when-your-workers-compensation-claim-is-denied\/"},"modified":"2025-01-25T10:41:23","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T15:41:23","slug":"what-can-you-do-when-your-workers-compensation-claim-is-denied","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skolnicklaw.com\/what-can-you-do-when-your-workers-compensation-claim-is-denied\/","title":{"rendered":"What can you do when your workers\u2019 compensation claim is denied?"},"content":{"rendered":"
What can you do when your workers\u2019 compensation claim is unfairly denied?<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to give up. In fact, you shouldn\u2019t. Denials are a common issue because employers generally don\u2019t have a lot to lose if they dispute a claim.<\/p>\n
Generally, the first thing you want to do after your claim is denied for any reason is file an appeal with the Industrial Commission of Ohio, or IC<\/a>. Hearings before the Industrial Commission are usually informal \u2014 but don\u2019t let that fool you into thinking that they aren\u2019t very concerned with the laws and regulations involved. Attorneys aren\u2019t required during workers\u2019 comp appeals with the Industrial Commission, but you can bet that your employer will have one in attendance.<\/p>\n Both you and your employer (since most likely that\u2019s the root source of the denial) will be given an opportunity to explain your points of view. In addition, the IC may require you to have a consultative medical examination \u2014 at their expense \u2014 for the sake of getting another medical opinion on the extent of your injuries. This is most likely to happen when the nature of the claim\u2019s denial is medical.<\/p>\n If the IC denies your appeal based on the idea that your injury or disability isn\u2019t as severe as you allege, you can file a mandamus action. If the denial alleges that you don\u2019t have a right to workers\u2019 comp<\/a> whatsoever, for whatever reason, you have to file a civil lawsuit in court. For example, you might file a mandamus action when you are awarded permanent partial disability benefits instead of the permanent total disability benefits you expected.<\/p>\n In Ohio, mandamus actions are all filed in Franklin County where the state capital is located. To win your case, you have to show that the IC overstepped its authority or \u201cabused its discretion\u201d by deciding that your injuries or disability aren\u2019t as severe as you say.<\/p>\n Mandamus hearings are also fairly informal. They don\u2019t operate like a trial. However, your case rests heavily on the argument that you present in writing, which is why it\u2019s wise to involve an attorney.<\/p>\n