Worker’s Compensation FAQ

WHAT IS WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

Workers’ compensation first started in Germany in the 1800’s.  A need was seen to take care of injured workers so they did not suffer physically or financially from injuries resulting from working for a company.  Workers’ compensation became common in the US in the 1930’s and 1940’s. It continues today in all 50 states and it’s territories.

Many physicians do not offer Worker’s Comp related services due to the time consuming paperwork involved.  What this means to the injured worker is that they are left without a physician.

Dr. Paley at Dayton Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine continues to provide quality, state of the art healthcare to patients with on the job injuries; whether they are covered by self insured employers or Bureau of Worker’s Comp insurance carriers.  We believe the best way to affect change within the worker’s comp system is from the inside.

How do I know what I’m eligible for?

All injured workers with allowed workers’ compensation claims are entitled to payment of medical bills for treatment related to the injury or occupational disease.  Following are five of the most common compensation benefits injured workers with allowed workers’ compensation claims may be entitled to:

  • Payment of temporary total compensation for injured workers who are 100 percent disabled for a temporary period of time as a result of the injury or occupational disease;
  • Payment of wage loss compensation to injured workers who are working with restrictions caused by the injury which cause a reduction in earnings or who are actively seeking but are not able to find work within their physical capabilities;
  • Payment of a percentage of permanent partial disability award for residual impairment resulting from an injury or occupational disease;
  • Payment of permanent total disability (PTD) compensation to injured workers who have been declared permanently and totally disabled by the Industrial Commission of Ohio.  A declaration of PTD means that the injured worker is not capable of returning to the former position of employment or of engaging in any sustained remunerative employment;
  • Payment of a lump sum settlement award to injured workers who have agreed with their employer to settle the workers’ compensation claim.

Ohio employers are required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance in one of two ways:

  • Purchase insurance policies from private insurance companies; or
  • Self-insure, if they meet the requirements of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Comp.  Self-insured employers have the same rights and responsibilities as employers who buy policies from private insurance companies.

Re-Injury Prevention: We consult with you to determine what program(s) you may have in place to provide for the employee’s returning temporarily on light or restricted duties.  As part of our re-injury prevention plan, we seek to assure the availability of a safe environment, work assignment and productivity expectation for the patient.  We work well within established plans and have assisted employers in improving their plans when requested.

Focus on Productivity: Productivity is essential for all concerned, regardless of the patient’s capacity at any given time.  If the patient is not productive under restricted or reduced work assignments, the patient loses the sense of accomplishment that all good employees must have, the employer loses the productivity and suffers from a weakness from within the work unit and Dayton Orthopaedic & Sprots Medicine loses a key component of the physical rehabilitation process.  The patient derives a substantial intangible benefit from being on the job site and contributing to the product or service of the work unit.  A positive attitude and desire to return to full capacity are both enhanced by early return to work.

To Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jon Paley, CLICK HERE

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Call the office at:

937-436-5763