When you’ve been injured on the job, understanding what you’re entitled to under Ohio workers’ compensation law can feel overwhelming. At Spears & Marinakis, LLC, we work with injured workers across Southwest, Southern, and Central Ohio every day — helping them navigate a system that often feels like it’s built to confuse.
Whether you’ve just filed a claim or are weeks into your recovery, knowing your rights is key to getting the support you need. This guide breaks down the core benefits available through Ohio workers’ comp and how our legal team makes sure you get every dollar you’re owed.
What Is Workers’ Compensation in Ohio?
Ohio’s workers’ compensation system is run by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). It’s designed to help workers who are injured on the job or become ill due to work-related causes.
The program provides benefits such as medical coverage, lost wages, and disability compensation. But while the system is there to help, getting full and fair benefits isn’t always automatic — and that’s where Spears & Marinakis, LLC steps in.
Types of Ohio Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Medical Benefits
If your claim is approved, the BWC will cover 100% of all necessary medical care related to your workplace injury. This includes:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency care
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Diagnostic testing
But here’s the catch — your treatment must be with BWC-certified providers, and it must be pre-approved in many cases. We help our clients avoid billing issues and treatment delays by making sure everything is documented and submitted properly.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
This benefit is paid when your injury prevents you from working at all for a period of time. It typically starts after seven consecutive days of missed work.
- Pay Schedule: TTD is usually 72% of your full weekly wage for the first 12 weeks, then switches to 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage afterward.
- Duration: You receive this benefit until you’re cleared to return to work or reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).
We regularly audit pay schedules to ensure our clients in Cincinnati, Springfield, and Dayton aren’t being shortchanged.
Wage Loss Compensation
If your injury allows you to return to work but at reduced hours or pay, you may qualify for wage loss benefits. This applies to both:
- Working Wage Loss (you’re working but earning less)
- Non-Working Wage Loss (you’re actively looking for work but can’t find employment)
We help workers throughout Southwest Ohio gather the necessary evidence to prove their wage loss eligibility and secure what they’re owed.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
Even after treatment, some injuries leave lasting damage. If your work injury results in a permanent impairment, you may qualify for PPD compensation — a lump sum payment based on the degree of disability.
We’ll help you get evaluated by an independent medical examiner and push back if the BWC tries to lowball the percentage.
Scheduled Loss Awards
These are one-time payments made when you suffer specific permanent injuries, such as:
- Loss of a limb
- Loss of vision
- Loss of hearing
- Permanent facial disfigurement
Our firm ensures that injuries like these are properly documented and that our clients receive every dollar possible under Ohio law.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you can’t return to your old job, the BWC may offer vocational retraining programs to help you re-enter the workforce. While this sounds helpful, the process can be complex — and the programs don’t always work in your favor.
At Spears & Marinakis, LLC, we help evaluate whether rehab is right for you or if alternative settlements make more sense.
Why Workers Don’t Get the Benefits They Deserve
In our experience across Southwest and Central Ohio, many workers miss out on full compensation because:
- They don’t know what to ask for
- They trust the system to be fair
- They accept incorrect wage calculations
- They let deadlines or paperwork slip
- They don’t push back when the BWC pushes them out
We’ve recovered hundreds of thousands in benefits for workers who initially accepted far less than they deserved.
How Spears & Marinakis, LLC Protects Your Benefits
We don’t just file paperwork — we protect your future.
- We verify every payment for accuracy
- We push for max PPD ratings and award amounts
- We fight for extended benefits when medically justified
- We represent you in hearings when disputes arise
- We track your claim from start to finish
Whether you’re dealing with a denied benefit, late checks, or pressure to return to work early, we’ve seen it before — and we know how to fix it.
Let’s Make Sure You Get What You’re Entitled To
You’ve worked hard, and you deserve the full protection Ohio law provides. Don’t settle for partial payments or vague answers. Get the legal team that makes sure nothing is missed.
Spears & Marinakis, LLC proudly serves injured workers in Cincinnati, Chillicothe, Lancaster, and all across Southwest Ohio.
Reach out today for a free consultation and let us break down what you’re entitled to — clearly, confidently, and with your best interest at the center.
Spears & Marinakis, LLC
122 S 4th St, Ironton, OH 45638
7405326913
https://www.spearsmarinakis.com/