Learn About: Hearings

Learn About Ohio Workers' Compensation

Hearings

The Ohio workers' compensation system can be confusing. Our learn about pages provide basic information about the Ohio workers' compensation system. You can find out more about the system from our Ohio Workers' Compensation Guide or our explanation of Ohio workers' compensation terms.

Learn about hearings:

When a hearing is scheduled, you will receive a notice which tells you the date and time for the hearing, and what issue will be heard.
If you have a conflict and cannot attend the hearing, you need to request a continuance on form IC-51. Request a continuance from the Hearing Administrator in your region. You should request the continuance at least five days before the hearing.
Industrial Commission hearings are paperless. You can see what documents the Industrial ommission has by logging on to I.C.O.N., the Industrial Commission On-line Network. If documents you want to use at the hearing are not on I.C.O.N. you must file them with the Industrial Commission.
For most issues, the first hearing occurs in front of a District Hearing Officer (DHO). Before the hearing, make sure you have medical evidence to support your position and that you have reviewed the evidence against your position. Whoever appealed the BWC order will present their argument first. The other party will then present its argument. Typically the appealing party has a chance to respond before the hearing ends.
Industrial Commission hearings are informal. The hearing officer will listen to both sides and usually takes the matter under advisement. Most hearings typically last only 15 minutes. You will receive a written order of the hearing officer's decision in the mail.
If either party appeals the District Hearing Officer's decision, a Staff Hearing Officer (SHO) will hear the issue.
The SHO hearing follows the same procedure as the DHO hearing.
Appeals to the Industrial Commission are discretionary. If either party appeals the SHO decision, the Industrial Commission will decide whether to hear the appeal. Commission Resolution R07-1-04 sets forth the standards for appeals to the Industrial Commission. If the Commission refuses the appeal, you can file a request for reconsideration. Resolution R08-1-01 sets forth the requirements for a request for reconsideration.
Permanent total cases are not heard at the DHO level. They go straight to an SHO. Permanent total hearings have a 30 minute time slot. You cannot appeal a permanent total decision to the Industrial Commission, but you can request reconsideration if you disagree with the SHO's permanent total decision.

See our guide to hearings and appeals for more information about the hearings process.

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