Workers' Compensation for International Employees in Columbus, Ohio

International employees working in Columbus, OH might wonder if they have the same access to workers compensation coverage that US citizens get. It doesn't matter if a worker from a foreign country is here in Ohio on a temporary work visa or if they are an undocumented worker, they may not know if they are eligible for workers compensation coverage.

Most international workers in Ohio are covered by the state's workers compensation benefits, but there are considerations and caveats for international employees working abroad in the US.

Any worker who is legally employed in Ohio, regardless of their legal or visa status, should contact a workers compensation lawyer if they have been injured on the job.

These benefits can pay for medical expenses and for injuries sustained while working. Larrimer & Larrimer can also explain workers' compensation for federal employees in Ohio.

Larrimer & Larrimer has been helping workers in Ohio file for workers compensation for decades, and they can also help international employees do the same.

What is Workers' Compensation Coverage?

Workers compensation, or workers comp, is an insurance program in Ohio that provides benefits to employees who become injured or ill as a result of their job. Here, the program is overseen by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, or BWC.

Some of the benefits workers receive from this program include:

• Medical treatments, including covering medical bills or medical emergency situations

• Temporary or permanent disability payments

• Wage replacement

• Death benefits for the family if the worker is killed at work

The workers comp program is designed to support employees who have work related injuries get the support they deserve. As long as the illness or bodily injury happen while on the job, the worker may be eligible for benefits -- even if they are an international employee, on long term assignments, or temporarily working in the country.

Workers’ Compensation Policy for International Workers

In Ohio, most international employees are eligible for workers comp protection, as long as they meet the following requirements:

• Employed legally

• Working within the state of Ohio

• Injured while doing work-related activities

Again, standard workers compensation policies apply to international workers even on a visa or with a green card. Denying workers compensation coverage based solely on immigration or home country is illegal in Ohio, and it goes against domestic policy in the US.

Common Injuries for International Workers

Like employees who are citizens of the US, employees who are from foreign countries can suffer a number of job related illnesses or injuries. These include:

• Back injuries sustained from heavy lifting

• Slip-and-fall accidents

• Repetitive motion injuries (Example: carpal tunnel)

• Injuries sustained by machines in factories or warehouses

• Burns or chemical exposure

• Construction accidents

• Car accidents

It doesn't matter what the injury is, international employees should report it to their employer and seek medical attention. International domestic workers, like nannies or au pairs, might be covered by a domestic workers compensation policy, which is a separate policy from traditional workers compensation coverage.

A Note About Foreign Voluntary Workers Compensation

Those employees who are not from the US but working here may see information about foreign voluntary workers compensation, or FVWC. This is not for citizens of other countries; an FVWC endorsement or policy is for US citizens who are traveling outside of the United States and not for foreign employees who are working in the United States. These policies often include repatriation expenses and the treatment of endemic diseases.

Filing Workers Compensation Claims in Ohio

There are several steps involved when filing a claim for workers comp.

Step 1 - Report the Injury

As soon as possible, the injury should be reported to the employer. Failing to report the injury for extended periods could delay or prevent benefits.

Step 2- Get Medical Care

Depending on the severity of the injury, the employee should seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital.

Step 3 - File a Claim with the BWC

The employee or company they work for must file a claim form, the First Report of Injury (FROI), with the BWC.

Step 4 - Wait for a Decision

The BWC will review the claim and generally make a decision within 28 days. The bureau will determine if the claim is valid or not. If the claim is denied, the employee can make an appeal.

Challenges Often Faced by International Employees

International workers have rights to workers comp benefits, but they often face challenges that others don't face.

For instance, there are circumstances like language barriers, which can hurt the case when dealing with the claims process. They may need assistance from a translator.

Some workers also have concerns about their visa or legal status. It is no risk at all to file workers comp, even if the worker is undocumented. The BWC does not require a Social Security number. It is the responsibility of the business to check for this when they hire an employee.

It is also possible that a worker might fear retaliation from their employer. This, too, is illegal.

An attorney can assist international employees with all of the above. Perhaps, this workers comp attorney in Columbus may be beneficial.

Benefits that International Workers Can Receive

If and when a claim is approved, international workers might be eligible for the following benefits:

Medical Coverage

All reasonable medical treatment or services that are related to the work injury is covered. This includes surgery, therapy, or medications.

Lost Wages

If the worker is unable to work for a certain amount of time, they may get compensation for lost wages.

Permanent Disability

It's possible that the injury could lead to permanent disability. If this is the case, the employee might obtain permanent partial disability or permanent total disability benefits.

Death Benefits

If an international employee dies due to a work accident, the family members in the employee's home country can also get death benefits.

Are Undocumented Workers Covered?

Many undocumented workers are entitled to get workers compensation coverage in Ohio. However, they might not be eligible for all benefits, which is important to be aware of. In general, they can get medical treatment and compensation for injuries, especially if the employer holds liability.

How a Columbus Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Helps Clients

It can be confusing for anyone to file for workers compensation in Ohio, not to mention, if the worker is from a different part of the world.

Fortunately, there is help. Law experts like those from Larrimer & Larrimer have decades of experience helping international employees file for benefits.

Some of the things the firm can do include:

• Ensure paperwork is filed correctly

• Communicate with the BWC on the employees behalf

• Help find the right medical providers

• Appeal a denied claim

• Protect clients from employer retaliation

Employees don’t have to go through the process alone. Contact Larrimer & Larrimer today for a free, confidential consultation. The firm is available to help clients recover, rebuild, and move forward with confidence.