The State Fund of Ohio

The State Fund Of Ohio

In Ohio, private insurance carriers cannot sell worker’s compensation insurance. Ohio is one of five states that has an exclusive state fund for worker’s compensation. The state fund of Ohio is under the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (Ohio BWC). State fund employers pay an insurance premium to the BWC. Out of all Ohio employers, two-thirds are insured by the state fund.

This state fund still allows employers the opportunity to self-insure. This means an employer can manage their own workers’ compensation claims. The employer does not have to go through the state fund, and instead gives benefits directly to the injured worker. This is typically used by larger companies; they must have at least 500 employers to self-insure and must have been in the state fund for at least two years. Employers must request to self-insure with the BWC.

Employers are regulated through the Ohio BWC and the Industrial Commission of Ohio. Workers who feel they are being treated unfairly, or their employer is not following Ohio law, can file a complaint with the BWC.

To speak to lawyer with no cost or obligation, call 440-951-6666. We have offices in Mentor, Mayfield Heights, Cleveland, Twinsburg, Independence, Russell and Westlake.

Ohio law requires that employers have compensation coverage or be self-insured.