If a loved one passes away due to a work injury or disease, then you may have the right to make a claim for workers’ compensation. The dependent of an injured worker who dies as a result of a work injury can submit a death claims benefit, according to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The state bases the amount of the death benefit on the level of dependency.
If you want to look into this type of benefit, it is important to contact the BWC. You will file paperwork with the BWC and manage your claim through the agency. There are a few important things to understand about filing this type of claim.
Important things to know
To file for a death claims benefit, you will have to show your dependency on the worker. You must either be the spouse of the worker or someone else who was financially dependent on the worker.
In some cases, the death occurs immediately due to an accident. However, the worker’s death may also happen long after the incident. The key is that it must be due to a work-related injury or condition. You may have to show proof of what led to the worker’s death.
You can still receive a death claims benefit even if the worker had already received workers’ compensation benefits for the injury or condition. You do have a time limit of one year in which to file for benefits after the death of the worker. If the death happened as a result of an occupational disease, you have two years in which to file. You will have to file a claim with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to request benefits.
Collecting a death claims benefit is your right under the workers’ compensation system. If you think you have a right to file, make sure that you do so before the time limit expires.
