Workers' comp claim denied in Ohio: what to do next

If you disagree with a BWC Order, file an appeal with the Industrial Commission within 14 days after you receive it, on Form IC-12, online through the Industrial Commission Online Network (ICON), or by a signed written notice.

Your employer's insurer, not the state, usually decides first. If they deny or delay, the free help listed here can explain your options.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Deadlines are strict. If you are near one, call the state agency or free help today.

If your claim is denied or delayed in Ohio

Who decides: Ohio Industrial Commission (district hearing officers, staff hearing officers and the commissioners)
First step: If you disagree with a BWC Order, file an appeal with the Industrial Commission within 14 days after you receive it, on Form IC-12, online through the Industrial Commission Online Network (ICON), or by a signed written notice. If you do not understand something or are not satisfied after working with BWC or the IC, the independent Ombuds Office can help for free.
Form: Notice of Appeal (IC-12)
Deadline: An appeal of a BWC Order must be filed within 14 calendar days from the date you receive the order. Each later level of appeal at the Industrial Commission also has a 14-day limit.
Medical disagreements: If the managed care organization (MCO) denies treatment your doctor asked for, start the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process by sending the ADR Appeal to the MCO Medical Treatment/Service Decision (C-11) to the MCO. BWC then issues a decision; if you still disagree, you can appeal to the Industrial Commission within 14 days.
: ADR Appeal to the MCO Medical Treatment/Service Decision (C-11)
Notice to Change Physician of Record (C-23)
Appealing the decision: Court of common pleas, within 60 days after receiving the final Industrial Commission order (for decisions on whether you can take part in the system, not on the extent of disability).

File an appeal of the BWC Order with the Industrial Commission (Form IC-12 or ICON) within 14 days after receiving it.
A district hearing officer holds a hearing, usually at the IC office closest to your home. You are notified about two weeks before.
If you disagree with the district hearing officer's order, appeal within 14 days to a staff hearing officer.
If you disagree with the staff hearing officer's order, appeal within 14 days to the commissioners, who decide whether to hear it.
Some final orders (not those on the extent of disability) can be appealed to the court of common pleas within 60 days.

Law: Ohio Rev. Code 4123.511, 4123.512

Source: info.bwc.ohio.gov

Sources

The official sources for Ohio are listed on the Ohio page.

National rules that may also matter

Not covered by state workers' comp?

These federal programs and laws cover some groups of workers instead of, or in addition to, state workers' compensation. If one of them may apply to you, check its rules and deadlines too. They are different from your state's.

Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA): Civilian employees of the federal government, including Postal Service employees. Official page

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (Longshore Act): Maritime workers such as longshore workers, harbor workers, ship repairers, shipbuilders and ship-breakers, hurt on navigable waters of the United States or on an adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal or other area used to load, unload, repair or build ships. Some groups are excluded. Official page
Longshore maximum and minimum for October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (fiscal year 2027): maximum $2,163.92 a week, minimum $540.98 a week.

Law: 33 U.S.C. 906(b); DOL Longshore NAWW table

Defense Base Act: Civilian employees working outside the United States on U.S. military bases or under a contract with the U.S. government for public works or national defense. Claims are handled by the Longshore program. Official page

Federal Black Lung Program: Coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease (pneumoconiosis) from coal mine work, and survivors of miners whose deaths were caused by it. Official page

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program: Current or former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors, and certain uranium miners, millers and ore transporters, who became ill from toxic exposures such as radiation, beryllium or silica at covered work sites, and their survivors. The program is set up by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Official page

Railroad workers (Federal Employers' Liability Act): Employees of railroads in interstate commerce. Instead of a workers' compensation claim, a federal law lets an injured railroad worker sue the railroad for damages caused by its negligence.

Seamen (Jones Act): A seaman injured in the course of employment may bring a lawsuit against the employer, with the right to a jury trial, under the same federal rules that apply to railroad workers.

National help

Your state workers' compensation agency answers questions about claims. Many have a free help line, an ombudsman or information officers for injured workers.

The Legal Services Corporation funds 129 nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, D.C. and the territories. Enter your address on its website to find one near you. You can also look up legal information and free forms at LawHelp.org. Whether a local program handles workers' compensation cases varies.

LawHelp.org