Were you injured while working at Whirlpool? We have 30+ years of experience as a work injury lawyers, helping Ohioans fight for the benefits that they deserve. If you’ve been injured while working at Whirlpool Corporation we can help.
Whirlpool is committed to investing in plant operations in Ohio. The company invested $65 million to transform the plant and add 100+ additional jobs.
If injured on the job, you can seek workers’ compensation for:
- Temporary or permanent disability benefits
- Lost wages and income
- Medical treatment and ongoing care
Our firm has offices in Toledo and Findlay, where we can review your claim and help you navigate the complex workers’ comp process.
Contact us for a free consultation to review your claim.
What Should You Do If You’re Injured While Working at Whirlpool Corporation?
If you’re injured while on the job, you’ll want to report the injury and accident that caused it to your supervisor. Important steps include:
- Report the injury: Don’t make the common mistake of not reporting the injury as soon as possible. If your injuries are serious, seek medical attention and as soon as you’re able, file your report.
- Seek medical treatment: You need to prove that your accident or duties led to injuries, and the only way to do this is for you to seek medical attention. It’s vital that you have a paper trail of medical records and follow treatment precisely.
- File your claim: Whirlpool is self-insured employer, meaning they have opted out of Ohio’s state funded workers’ compensation program. You need to talk to your employer to file your claim, but it still may be advisable to file a claim with the Ohio BWC.
If your claim is not accepted by your employer, a claim will need to be filed with the Ohio BWC in order to have the issue addressed by an Industrial Commission hearing officer.
What Are Common Causes of Manufacturing Related Injuries?
Manufacturing plants pose significant risks to workers that may not exist in a retail location. Our experience as a work injury attorneys helps us understand the unique situation workers are in day after day.
Annually, 100,000+ workers experience job-related injuries in the manufacturing industry.
The most common causes of injuries are:
- 40% of accidents involve contact with an object, such as a saw or other dangerous objects
- 24% involve overexertion, such as lifting heavy objects, and causing back or other-related injuries
- 19% of incidents involve a slip, trip, or fall
- 8% are a result of repetitive motion injuries
- 6% of accidents are due to contact with harmful substances
The environment is the leading cause of injuries in the manufacturing industry. Machinery and hazardous materials can cause injuries. Sometimes, an injury is immediate, such as losing a limb, or it can occur slowly and worsen over the course of time.
Contact with hazardous chemicals can cause injuries that do not present for quite some time but are still related to your work. This may be considered an occupational disease claim.
What Are Common Factory-Related Injuries?
Factories have a duty to keep the workplace safe, but when injuries do occur, they may include:
- Burns
- Chemical exposure
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Back injuries
- Ear-related injuries, such as industrial deafness
- Repetitive motion injuries
Other forms of injury, such as loss of limb, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and others are also known to occur in the workplace.
How Do You File a Workers’ Injury Claim in Ohio
If you’re injured while on the job, it’s important to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Whirlpool Corporation is self-insured, so you will need to follow their process for filing a claim.
Generally, the process will be similar to the steps below:
- Complete an accident report form as soon as possible. The sooner you complete a report, the better.
- File a claim following the company’s instructions. Be sure to include supporting medical evidence.
It’s important to note than in Ohio, you have a one year statute of limitations to file a workers’ compensation claim, despite what your employer may tell you.
Your employer will be responsible for determining whether your claim is approved or denied. If your claim is approved, the third-party administrator will handle compensation payments.
Claims that are denied may be sent to the Industrial Commission for a hearing.
The claim process can be complicated and stressful, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. An attorney can help you through the process, ensuring that you provide ample medical evidence to support your claim and seek all of the benefits you’re entitled to.
Is Workers’ Compensation Coverage Required in Ohio?
In Ohio, all employers with one or more employees must have workers’ compensation coverage. Ohio is one of the few states that operates a state-funded workers’ compensation system. However, some large businesses can self-insure and cover the cost of claims out of pocket.
You may have to file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in order to have the issue addressed by a hearing officer with the Industrial Commission.
What Will Workers’ Compensation Cover?
When workers are hurt or develop an illness as a result of the job, workers’ compensation can help cover the cost of:
- Medical treatment, including doctor visits, emergency room care, rehabilitation, medication, and other related expenses.
- Wage replacement if you were forced to take time off of work to recover.
- Vocational rehabilitation services
A variety of other benefits may be available to employees, depending on the circumstances of the case, including:
- Temporary total disability
- Permanent total disability
- Percentage of permanent partial disability
- Death benefits
If you were injured while working at Whirlpool, we can help you understand your rights, which benefits you may qualify for, and how much your claim is worth.
How We Can Help Following Your Whirlpool Corporation Workplace Injury
The workers’ injury claim process can be complex and fraught with challenges. Even when claims are allowed, getting further approval for treatment or financial compensation can be difficult. Having the help of an experienced attorney can make all the difference. A lawyer will understand the process inside and out.
At Schaffer & Associates, we understand that when you’re injured at work, it can be difficult and stressful to figure out your next steps. We’re here to help.
Our attorneys have been assisting clients with their workers’ compensation claims for more than 30 years. You don’t have to go through this process alone.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
