Common Mistakes If You're Injured Off-Site While Working in Ohio

Many people think that workers' compensation only covers injuries that happen inside of the workplace. However, an employee can suffer a work-related injury off-site, too, including construction sites, customer properties, office buildings, parking lots, or even when traveling for work. A person might be making a delivery, attending a meeting across today, doing services at a job site, or visiting a client. No matter where you are, if you are working at the time of the injury, you might qualify for workers' comp benefits under Ohio law.

Unfortunately, off-site injuries, though often covered by a workers' comp claim, can create some challenges. Employers and insurance companies might question if the injury was work-related, if the person was performing work-related duties at the time of the injury, or if they are even injured at all.

The things that you do immediately following an off-site injury can greatly impact your ability to get benefits in the future. Understanding the common mistakes if you're injured off-site can also help to put you into a position to protect your health and your claim.

Assuming You Are Not Covered By Workers Comp Because the Work Injury Happened Away From Work

One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about workers' compensation is that it doesn't cover you if the workplace accident happened off of work property.

In many cases, you can file a workers' compensation claim even if the injury occurred off site, as long as you were performing work duties and on the clock. Examples include:

• Traveling between job sites

• Making deliveries

• Visiting customers

• Attending work-related meetings

• Performing maintenance or repairs at another location

• Running errands for your employer

Just because you are not at your employer's primary location doesn't mean you cannot file a workers compensation claim.

However, this is one of several mistakes people make, and even if you realize you can file a claim when off-site, there are other mistakes that are more common than you might think.

Failing to Report the Workplace Accident and Injury Immediately

Sometimes a person is injured on the job and they think if they report it that their employer will get in trouble or that it will be a hassle. In other cases, the injured person believes that they should wait and see if the injury gets better. This, however, can be a big mistake.

Informing the employer immediately helps:

• Document when the accident occurred

• Establish that it happened during work activities

• Preserve evidence

• Reduce disputes about the facts

A delay in reporting can make it much easier for the employer or the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to question if an injury was work-related or not.

Whenever possible, people should inform their employer as soon as they can following a workplace injury.

Not Seeking Medical Attention Right Away

Even if an injury seems pretty minor, one of the most common mistakes people make is not getting medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries, including sprains, back injuries, concussions, and soft tissue damage might become more painful over the next several hours or days.

You should seek medical attention immediately, even if you aren't feeling a lot of pain, because medical providers can:

• Identify hidden injuries

• Begin appropriate treatment

• Create medical documentation

• Connect the injury to the workplace accident

Waiting too long to seek care may allow others to argue that the injury occurred somewhere else or became worse because treatment was delayed.

Forgetting to Document the Accident Scene

Another thing that people do that can negatively impact their workers compensation claim is forget to document the accident scene. This is important for all workers compensation claims, but even more important when the accident occurs off-property.

If you are physically able, try to do the following at the scene:

• Take videos and photographs

• Record hazardous conditions

• Identify witnesses

• Save surveillance information when available

• Note weather conditions

• Record the time and location

This information may become valuable if questions arise later about how the accident occurred.

Assuming Someone Else Will Gather Evidence

Speaking of gathering evidence, some people realize that they need to gather evidence, but they assume that someone else will get it. Never assume that will be the case.

Though an investigation may occur, it's important to not only rely on the evidence that others have. Instead, do your best to collect the following after an accident:

• Incident reports

• Medical records

• Witness names

• Emails and text messages

• Photographs

• Expense receipts

Keeping your own record s can help to bring extra support if your claim starts to get disputed in the future.

Giving Incomplete Information About the Accident

It's also common to forget to give all of the information about the accident that is needed. You should always be honest and thorough when documenting the accident or when being questioned about it. You don't want to leave out important details that might be able to strengthen your case.

Some of the most common things that people forget about or simply leave out include:

• What work they were performing

• Where the injury occurred

• How the accident happened

• Any equipment involved

• Whether anyone witnessed the incident

An incomplete report can create a lot of confusion, and it can ultimately lead to unnecessary questions or even the denial of a claim. For more information, our workers comp attorneys in Columbus OH may be able to help.

Ignoring Medical Restrictions

After an injury, your physician may place restrictions on lifting, standing, driving, or performing other job duties.

Some employees ignore these restrictions because they want to return to work quickly or avoid burdening coworkers.

Unfortunately, this can:

• Worsen the injury

• Delay recovery

• Complicate the workers' compensation claim

• Create new injuries

Following your doctor's recommendations is important for both your health and your case.

Believing You Cannot Receive Benefits If Another Company Controlled the Property

Many off-site injuries occur on someone else's property.

For example, an employee may be injured while working at:

• A customer's business

• A construction site

• A warehouse

• A manufacturing facility

• A retail store

Even though another business owns the property, you may still qualify for workers' compensation benefits through your employer.

Depending on the circumstances, there may also be a separate third-party personal injury claim if someone other than your employer contributed to the accident.

Because these situations can become legally complex, it is important to have the facts carefully evaluated.

Returning to Work Before You Are Ready

Financial concerns often motivate injured employees to return to work sooner than their physician recommends.

Returning too early may:

• Increase pain

• Cause additional injuries

• Delay healing

• Affect future medical treatment

If your employer offers light-duty work, discuss the proposed job with your physician to ensure it complies with your medical restrictions.

Missing Important Deadlines

Ohio workers' compensation claims involve deadlines for reporting injuries, filing claims, and responding to notices.

Missing a deadline may:

• Delay benefits

• Complicate your claim

• Limit your legal options

Keeping copies of all correspondence and responding promptly to requests for information can help avoid unnecessary problems.

Assuming a Claim Denial Is the End of the Case

Not every workers' compensation claim is approved immediately.

Off-site injuries are sometimes denied because questions arise regarding:

• Whether the employee was working

• Whether the injury occurred as reported

• Whether medical evidence supports the claim

A denial does not necessarily mean you are ineligible for benefits.

Ohio's workers' compensation system provides opportunities to challenge certain decisions and present additional evidence.

Many injured workers successfully pursue benefits after an initial denial.

Not Speaking With an Attorney

Off-site workplace injuries often involve more complicated legal questions than accidents that occur at the employer's primary location.

An attorney can help:

• Review the circumstances of the injury

• Gather supporting evidence

• Communicate with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation

• Prepare for hearings if necessary

• Evaluate whether a third-party claim may also exist

Obtaining a workers compensation attorney early in the process may help prevent mistakes that could affect your ability to recover benefits. They can also advise on employer obligations when hiring independent contractors.

Protect Your Rights After an Off-Site Workplace Injury

An off-site workplace injury can create uncertainty, especially when questions arise about whether workers' compensation applies. Fortunately, many employees injured while performing work-related duties away from their employer's property may still qualify for benefits under Ohio law.

Avoiding common mistakes—such as delaying medical treatment, failing to report the injury promptly, ignoring medical restrictions, or assuming you are not covered—can strengthen your claim and improve your chances of receiving the benefits you deserve.

At Larrimer & Larrimer, the team has spent over 100 years helping injured workers throughout Columbus and across Ohio work through the confusing Ohio workers' compensation system. If you were injured while working off-site and have questions about your rights or your claim, you can reach out to the office and schedule a free consultation of your case. You don't want to jeopardize your right to the workers compensation process just because you were injured off-site.