The question of whether moving out of Ohio will cost you your workers’ comp benefits has a short, undoubtedly welcome, answer of “no.” The reality is far more complicated, however.

The Columbus workers’ compensation attorneys with Agee Clymer Mitchell and Portman are glad to have this opportunity to alert temporarily and permanent disabled individuals to considerations they must take when planning to relocate. Anyone needing more information or help with a claim is welcome to request a consultation by calling us at (800) 678-3318 or scheduling an appointment online.

Short Answer

Ohio Workers’ Compensation continues paying benefits to qualified individuals if they move out of the state. Payment amounts and payment schedules set while living in Ohio remain in effect regardless of where the recipient lives in the United States.

Explaining the Short Answer

Each state operates its own workers’ comp system. This means several things, including:

  • A worker should apply to the workers’ compensation office for the state in which he or she got injured or fell ill on the job even if the worker maintains a permanent residence in another state.
  • Moving to Ohio while drawing workers’ comp benefits from, say, Michigan, means you will still deal with the program in Michigan.
  • Each state enforces its own rules for who qualifies to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
  • Each state sets its own schedule of payments for categories of disabilities such as temporary, permanent, amputation, blinding, and loss of hearing.
  • Most states, including Ohio, impose a two-year statute of limitations for filing a workers’ comp claim, but each state recognizes different exceptions to its statute of limitations.
  • Application forms, case review processes, appeals procedures, and final options for taking the workers’ comp program to civil court to overcome a denial vary from state to state.

The lesson to draw from this partial listing of state-specific workers’ comp rules and requirements is that if you need to file a claim with Ohio Workers’ Compensation, consult and seek representation from a Columbus, OH, workers’ comp lawyer.

Addressing Two Details Omitted From the Short Answer

Moving out of Ohio can trigger interruptions in benefit payments and make staying medically certified as disabled difficult.

Alerting Ohio Workers’ Compensation early to any change of address and following up to ensure that your contact and banking information have been updated go long ways toward ensuring benefit payment continue on schedule. If you do those things but continue missing benefit payments, contact your workers’ comp lawyer to discuss legal options for having payments restarted.

The medical issues raised by moving out of the state can be more difficult to resolve. Ohio Workers’ Compensation will only accept diagnoses, prognoses, and rehabilitation plans from health care providers and therapists it has certified. Traveling back to Ohio for ongoing care and recertification of a disability is often necessary to avoid losing workers’ comp eligibility.

Your Columbus workers’ compensation attorney may be able to put you in contact with physicians and other medical personnel who are certified in Ohio despite practicing outside the state.