New Opioid Rules in Ohio Aim to Prevent Addiction
Recent news about the opioid crisis and its impact on work injury victims highlights the importance of proper medical treatment and ongoing monitoring of workers’ comp claimants.
For many, a workplace injury is a preventable, tragic occurrence that forever changes the course of one’s life, and the lives of family members. Pursuing a workers’ compensation claim is often a matter of necessity, as injuries can lead to permanent debilitation and complications, preventing the injured from earning a fair wage while trying to manage a future riddled with pain and suffering.
How Our Nation Treats Workers’ Comp Injuries
A recent study by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics cites over 350 MILLION individuals were injured in non-fatal workplace injuries in 2015 – with more than 50% of those sustaining injuries serious enough to require time off work. Workers’ compensation insurers spent over $1.5 BILLION on drugs for workers’ comp injuries, accounting for over 13% of the total opioid market. Arguably, instead of proper therapy, rehabilitation and care – many injured victims are simply prescribed pain pills without any regard of the long-term repercussions.
The result? Hard working individuals injured on the job, are now at risk or are actively addicted to opioids. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation now proactively patrols prescribing physicians – the rules also provide a way for those who are currently addicted to opioids to receive proper treatment.
This process has resulted in a 44% decrease in the number of prescribed opioids over a 5-year period – Saving millions of dollars, but more importantly, properly treating victims of workplace injury.
Seeking Compensation After Your Workplace Injury
If you were injured at work, filing a workers’ compensation claim is essential to ensuring you receive proper care, long term benefits and compensation for your pain and suffering.
No Cost Evaluation
All Ohio residents have a constitutional right to workers’ compensation claims in the state of Ohio. Employers cannot walk away from their obligations under the law.
If you believe your Workers’ Compensation rights are being violated, contact Nager, Romaine & Schneiberg Co., L.P.A. Our attorneys will aggressively pursue your case and work to help you or your loved one obtain the benefits to which you are entitled under the law.
