The pain from your workplace injury is difficult enough to manage. When your workers' compensation payments are delayed, that physical discomfort is compounded by financial worry and stress. It’s easy to be confused by the bureaucratic maze of the Ohio workers' compensation system. Monast Law Office specializes in identifying the root causes of these delays and putting effective strategies into practice to get benefits flowing again.
Common Reasons for Delayed Workers' Compensation Payment
Here are possible reasons why your benefits have not arrived and how we’ll use our 30 years of experience to resolve the problem.
Missing or Incomplete Paperwork
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) processes thousands of claims daily. Even minor errors can cause significant delays. Missing information, unsigned forms, or contradictory statements in your paperwork often trigger reviews that put your claim on hold.
Employer Disputes
There may be a challenge to your claim, such as questioning whether your injury occurred at work, disputing its severity—this is exactly what happened to our client, Brenda—or your eligibility for benefits because of your employment status. When employers contest claims, the BWC typically schedules hearings to resolve these disputes, extending the timeline for receiving benefits.
Medical Documentation Issues
- Incomplete records without necessary test results or treatment plans can delay your claim. Your doctor must explicitly connect your injury to your workplace activities.
- Inconsistent findings between different medical providers raise red flags for claims examiners, often requiring more evaluations.
- Missed appointments for independent medical examinations automatically pause your claim processing.
Steps to Take When Your Ohio Workers' Comp Benefits Are Delayed
At Monast Law Office, we ensure you have all the information you need to understand this process and where to turn. Review our resources page for helpful links that explain more about what to expect. Here are other suggestions we recommend.
Contact the Ohio BWC Directly
Call the customer service center at 1-800-644-6292 to check on your claim status. Representatives can often identify specific issues holding up your benefits. Keep detailed notes of all conversations.
Ensure All Required Documentation Is Submitted
Review your claim paperwork with your healthcare providers to verify all required medical documentation was submitted correctly. Ask your doctor to promptly respond to any requests from the BWC for more information.
Consider Legal Representation
A workers' compensation attorney has the insight to identify the specific reason for your delay and take appropriate action. At Monast Law Office, we understand how the BWC operates—and it usually processes claims more quickly when an attorney is involved, as it knows the claim is being tracked by someone who understands the legal requirements.
How Monast Law Office Can Help With Your Workers’ Comp Payments
When benefits are delayed, solving the problem alone can feel like assembling a puzzle with missing pieces. Conflicting information from the BWC, unreturned phone calls, and complex paperwork requirements create a frustrating cycle that prolongs financial hardship.
Monast Law Office helps bridge the communication gap that often causes delayed workers comp benefits to remain in limbo. Here’s what we’ll tackle right away.
Professional Communication With the BWC
Monast Law Office has longstanding relationships with BWC staff and understands their procedures. We can contact claims examiners, supervisors, and other decision-makers who affect your case directly.
Preparation for Hearings
If your claim requires a hearing, we’ll gather the necessary evidence, prepare witnesses, and make compelling arguments to support your case. An experienced workers’ comp attorney reduces stress and increases your chances of a favorable outcome.
Appeals of Denied Claims
Sometimes, delays occur because claims are improperly denied. Our team files appeals within required deadlines and with appropriate supporting documentation to overturn incorrect decisions. Our experience with similar cases helps us anticipate and address potential objections before they arise, quickly getting your delayed workers' compensation benefits flowing again.
Whether you live in the Columbus area, live elsewhere in Ohio, or are employed by an Ohio-based company but live in a neighboring state, we’ll use our knowledge to investigate your delayed benefits.
