Our Columbus Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Explains What Factors Influence the Value of Your Claim
As an Ohio worker, you might ask which workplace accidents are the biggest threats to your well-being, job security, and financial future. It's essential to understand which workers' compensation claims in Ohio come with the highest costs—not just in dollars but in the toll they take on lives. These claims often involve the most severe and life-altering injuries. Experienced Columbus workers' compensation lawyer James Monast understands how devastating accidents can be for you and your family and will fight to ensure you get the benefits you need to move forward.
Understanding the 5 Costliest Types of Workers' Compensation Claims in Ohio
The Travelers Companies, a major workers' compensation insurer nationwide (but not in Ohio, which doesn't have private workers' compensation insurance), analyzed over 1.2 million workers' compensation claims from 2017 to 2021 for its 2024 Injury Impact Report. The report examined severe claims costing $250,000 or more and noted the following as the most common workplace injuries.
1. Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common and costly workers' compensation claims. These incidents can occur in various work environments, from busy construction sites to seemingly safe office spaces. The impact of a slip and fall can be devastating for you, often resulting in injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Paralysis
The costs associated with slip and fall accidents extend beyond immediate medical care. You might face lost wages, ongoing physical therapy, and potential long-term disability, which can place a significant financial burden on you and your family. Monast Law Office helped a sous-chef recover compensation after a fall so he could move forward with his life. He eventually became a chef for a franchise in Columbus.
2. Overexertion Injuries
Overexertion injuries are another leading cause of costly workers' compensation claims you might face in Ohio. These injuries often result from lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, or throwing objects beyond your physical capabilities. The strain placed on your muscles, tendons, and joints can lead to serious, long-lasting injuries.
Common overexertion injuries you might experience include:
- Back strains and sprains
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Repetitive strain injuries
The costs associated with overexertion injuries can be substantial for you. Medical treatments, including surgeries and physical therapy, can quickly add up. Additionally, these injuries often require extended recovery periods, resulting in significant lost wages for you.
3. Struck-By Accidents
Being struck by an object is another category of workplace accidents that can lead to costly workers' compensation claims for you in Ohio. These incidents can occur in various industries, from construction and manufacturing to retail and office environments.
The severity of injuries you might suffer from being struck by an object can vary widely, depending on the object's size, weight, and speed. Some common injuries you might experience include:
- Head trauma
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
The financial impact of these injuries can be significant. Emergency medical care, surgeries, and rehabilitation can result in substantial medical bills. Additionally, severe injuries may lead to permanent disability, affecting your ability to return to work and earn a living.
4. Motor Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents represent another category of costly workers' compensation claims you might face in Columbus. These accidents can affect you if you're a delivery driver, trucker, sales representative, or an employee traveling for business.
The injuries you might suffer from work-related motor vehicle accidents can be severe and life-altering. They may include:
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Psychological trauma
The costs associated with work-related motor vehicle accidents extend beyond immediate medical care. You might face long-term rehabilitation, need adaptive equipment for severe injuries, and potentially face lifelong disability, resulting in substantial financial burdens.
5. Caught-in or Between Accidents
Caught-in or between accidents represent some of the most serious and potentially fatal workplace incidents you might face, leading to costly workers' compensation claims in Ohio. These accidents occur when you're caught, crushed, or compressed between two or more objects.
The injuries you might suffer from caught-in or between accidents can be catastrophic, including:
- Crush injuries
- Suffocation
- Fractures and bone injuries
- Neurological damage
The financial impact of these injuries is often substantial. Emergency medical care, surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, and potential lifelong care for severe injuries can result in enormous medical expenses. Additionally, these accidents often lead to extended periods away from work or permanent disability, significantly affecting your earning capacity.
The Amount of Benefits You Could Receive
Understanding the details can be challenging when it comes to payment for a workers' compensation claim. The Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) provides a helpful PDF chart on its website, which outlines the minimum and maximum weekly payments you may receive based on your income. The maximum weekly payment you could receive is $1,195.00, as long as you are not receiving Social Security benefits. The maximum weekly payment amount is $796.67 if you collect Social Security.
The chart can be confusing, especially if you're unsure about the type of benefit you qualify for or how to interpret the information. Fortunately, the Monast Law Office is here to help clarify how much you should receive each week.
How Our Columbus Workers' Compensation Lawyer Can Help You
If you've suffered a workplace injury, our experienced Columbus workers' compensation lawyer can guide you through Ohio’s workers' compensation system and fight for the benefits you deserve.
At Monast Law Office, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that workplace injuries can take on you. We are committed to providing compassionate, personalized legal representation to you as an injured worker in Ohio. As seen in our case results and testimonials on our website, we have represented injured Columbus workers in situations similar to yours. While each case is different, our approach is to help improve our clients’ lives. Our client, Michael Hood, said, “I have to say, everyone at the Monast Law Office has been more than helpful. They are polite, go above and beyond, and have exceeded my expectations. I can't think of one negative thing to say. They are a great firm.”
