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PERSONAL INJURY WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT? If you’ve been involved in an accident, the following actions are recommended: 1. Stop your car, no matter how slight the accident and no matter who is at fault, and do whatever possible to alert oncoming traffic to any obstruction caused by the vehicles in the accident. 2. Assist any injured persons by calling an ambulance and by rendering first aid if you know how. 3. Call the police. 4. Identify the other driver by getting his or her name, address, phone number, work number if possible, drivers’ license number, license plate number, and most of all their insurance information. 5. Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all passengers and witnesses. 6. Take notes of all the significant circumstances concerning the accident. 7. Make no comments on the accident, admit nothing, and sign nothing. 8. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, if needed. 9. Call your insurance provider as soon as possible. 10. Be advised that if there is minimal visible damage to both vehicles and the police are not called to the scene, you still may be required to make a police report. Ohio state law requires that an accident report be filed on all accidents where the cost of damage is over $450 to any vehicle or person involved in a motor vehicle accident. Failure to file a police report can subject you to a 30 day suspension of your license. HOW DO I CHOOSE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY? It’s important to choose the right attorney to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit and it’s to your advantage to find one with experience in your specific type of personal injury claim. Apart from the basic qualifications of skill and experience, your attorney should have an understanding of your needs. An initial interview gives you the opportunity to discuss important matters such as the attorney’s prior experience with similar cases, possible courses of action, and fees. Remember that two key parts of an attorney’s job are negotiation and court presentation. Choose the attorney that you are most confident can present your case in the best and most effective manner. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS IF I AM A PASSENGER IN AN ACCIDENT? As a passenger in a motor vehicle involved in an accident, you are owed a duty of care by the driver of the vehicle you are in, and by the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident as a passenger, get the names, addresses, phone numbers, license numbers and insurance information for all parties involved, including the witnesses. Call the police. Do not leave the scene until all the injured have been assisted, the police have investigated, you have notes about the parties involved in the accident. If you are injured you may have a claim against the driver of the car where you were a passenger or the driver of the other vehicle.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION WHAT MEDICAL CARE AM I ENTITLED TO IF I AM INJURED AT WORK? An injured worker is entitled to all reasonable and necessary medical care resulting from his or her work-related injury. Covered medical care generally includes medical, surgical and hospital services, dental services, crutches, hearing aids, chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, nursing care, and prescribed medications. Every new state fund claim is assigned to an MCO (Managed Care Organization) or the employer, if self-insured, for medical management of claim including treatment authorization and payment of bills. WHAT IF MY ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY ANOTHER WORKER? Workers’ Compensation is designed to provide help to employees injured in the course of their employment. The laws provide benefits to the worker regardless of whether the worker or a co-worker was at fault for the injury. However, workers compensation claims will not be allowed for injuries sustained when co-workers are engaged in horseplay or fighting over personal differences. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY WAGES WHILE I AM OFF WORK? If you are injured in a work-related accident and are temporarily disabled from working, you should receive weekly workers’ compensation benefits, which are called “temporary total disability.” Ohio’s compensation laws provide that injured employees be compensated for 72% of their average weekly wages, up to an established maximum. These benefits are payable once your claim has been allowed by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation or certified by a self-insured employer. Many other factors can also influence the amount of the wage loss benefit and the length of time it is received. CAN I RECOVER MONEY FOR OLD WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS? Additional money may be recovered
for a full and final settlement of a workers’ compensation claim.
Settlements must be negotiated with the self-insured employer or the
Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the employer. If there has
been no lump sum settlement, your claim remains open for ten years from
the date of the last payment.
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