Ohio Workers Compensation - laws,rules,statutes,state contacts and detailed policy information

State: Ohio - a monopolistic state

Authority/Rating Bureau: Ohio operates a monopolistic state fund.

Compulsory: Yes

Private Insurance: Not Allowed

Self-Insurance: Is allowed but not through private insurers or through groups of employers.

State Fund: Ohio maintains an exclusive state fund. Insurance can only be purchased in this state from this fund. Contact at:

Bureau of Workers' Compensation

30 W. Spring St.

Columbus, OH 43215-2256

Phone: 1-800-644-6292

Fax: 1-877-520-6446

http://www.ohiobwc.com/

Assigned Risk: All work comp coverage in the State of Ohio is provided by the OBWC, Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. To contact, see State Fund above.

Numerical Exceptions: There are no numerical exceptions. If you have any employees, you must have an active workers compensation policy to insure coverage for those employees against a workplace injury. ORC 4123.01 details the requirements for workers compensation coverage for Ohio employers.

Individual Waivers Allowed: Waivers are only allowed for employer sponsored recreational events.

Sole Proprietor: Excluded from coverage/may elect to be included

Partners: Excluded from coverage/may elect to be included

Corporate Officers: Included in coverage/may elect to be exempt

LLC Members: A limited liability company (LLC) is a hybrid of business entity that combines the flow-through tax status of a partnership with the limited liability of a corporation. A LLC company can elect to be treated as a corporation, sole proprietor or partnership for income tax purposes. Because of this, owners of an LLC can be treated differently depending upon the form of entity they elect for income tax purposes.

Contractors: Special payroll limitations. Since 1995, construction industry payroll limits have been established for manual classification codes in Industry Group 4. BWC reviews the limits each year and revises them as needed. The construction industry employer who chooses to use the limit when reporting payroll must maintain records to verify the weekly wages paid to construction industry employees. The payroll limitation applies to weekly payroll, regardless of the hourly or daily remuneration. Refer to the OBWC for more detailed information.

Special Notes: A new law has gone into effect that erases a competitive disadvantage for Ohio employers who were forced to pay workers compensastion premiums in other states as well as Ohio for the same workers. The new law allows Ohio employers to provide payroll information for employees who performed labor and services only in Ohio. Previously they had to report their total payroll and pay a premium based on that total. Once the payroll information has been provided to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation they will determine the premium the business needs to pay. In the new law, employers based in other states must purchase Ohio coverage for temporary workers while in Ohio unless the other state offers coverage for Ohio employers with operations while in their state. OBWC is working on this reciprocal agreement with as many other states as possible to help relieve the burden from Ohio employers.

The following individuals are subject to a minimum and maximum payroll reporting requirement:

Active executive officers of a corporation;
Employers listed below who choose elective coverage (because they are not required to carry workers’ compensation insurance).
- Sole proprietors
- Partnership
- Family farm corporate officers
- Limited liability company acting as a partnership
- Limited liability company acting as a sole proprietor
- Individual incorporated as a corporation (with no employees)

Note: Ministers covered under a religious organization’s policy are not subject to the minimum and maximum reporting requirement, and should report their actual earnings.

Individuals in any of the categories above must report a minimum and maximum payroll based on the state average weekly wage (SAWW). The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services determines the SAWW effective Jan. 1 of each year. Effective July 1, 2006, these individuals must report minimum wages equal to 50 percent of the SAWW up to a maximum of 150 percent of the SAWW.

Regulated By: Two separate agencies administer Ohio's workers' compensation system: the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and the Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC). The BWC is responsible for collecting workers' compensation insurance premiums, overseeing the insurance system, and paying out compensable claims. The IC steps in when a BWC claim is disputed. The IC hears and decides contested workers' compensation claims and issues.

Bureau of Workers' Compensation

30 W. Spring St.

Columbus, OH 43215-2256

Phone: 1-800-644-6292

Fax: 1-877-520-6446

http://www.ohiobwc.com/

The Industrial Commission of Ohio

30 W. Spring Street

Columbus, OH 43215-2233

1-800-521-2691 (toll-free nationwide)

Fax: (614) 728-7004

http://www.ic.state.oh.us/

Workers Compensation Statute:

http://www.ohiobwc.com/basics/guidedtour/generalinfo/orcandoac.asp

Information on this page is provided only as a reference. While we strive to mantain accurate information on this site please realize workers compensation laws are complicated and subject to change at any time. If you need help with a workers compensation problem or have a specific situation or question please contact our office. Otherwise please consult your states governing authority or an attorney in your state of residency for assistance.

Contact Us:
WORKERS COMPENSATION CONSULTANT
Voice: (573) 999-6948
Fax: (573) 447-4998
email: rks@workcompconsultant.com

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Ohio Workers Compensation Laws

Workers compensation policy information for the State of Ohio