What are my responsibilities as an employer in Ohio with regards to workers' compensation?

As an employer in Ohio, you have various legal responsibilities with regards to workers' compensation. The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (OBWC) is responsible for overseeing the workers' compensation system in Ohio, which provides benefits to workers who are injured or become ill on the job.

Your first responsibility as an employer is to obtain workers' compensation insurance from the OBWC. Ohio law requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance, which provides coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and other benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job. There are some exceptions to this requirement, such as for sole proprietors or partnerships where all employees are also owners, but the vast majority of Ohio employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

Once you have obtained workers' compensation insurance, you must post notice of workers' compensation coverage in a conspicuous location in your workplace. This notice must provide information about how to report a workplace injury, how to obtain medical treatment, and how to file a workers' compensation claim.

If one of your employees is injured or becomes ill on the job, you must provide them with information about how to file a workers' compensation claim. This includes providing the injured employee with a First Report of Injury (FROI) form, which must be completed and submitted to the OBWC within one week of the injury. You must also provide the injured employee with a list of approved healthcare providers and make sure they receive appropriate medical treatment.

In addition, if an employee is unable to work due to a work-related injury or illness, you must provide them with paid time off (PTO) or other benefits, such as short-term disability or sick leave, if available. You are also required to maintain the employee's health insurance coverage while they are off work due to a work-related injury or illness.

If you fail to comply with these requirements, you may be subject to fines and penalties from the OBWC. It is also possible that your employees may file a lawsuit against you if they believe you have not provided appropriate workers' compensation coverage or have not properly handled a workers' compensation claim.

To ensure that you are in compliance with Ohio's workers' compensation laws and regulations, it is recommended that you consult with a licensed attorney who specializes in employment law or workers' compensation. They can provide you with more detailed information on your legal responsibilities as an employer and help you develop appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance.