Commission Adopts Policy for Claims for Exposure to Body Fluids
The Industrial Commission adopted a new hearing officer policy, Memo M.7, which applies to claims for exposure to blood or other bodily fluids.
The policy applies to claims for exposure to blood or bodily fluids set forth by R.C. 4123.026. The policy applies to all such claims on, or after, March 14, 2003.
Memo M.7 requires that an order allowing an R.C. 4123.026 claim for exposure to body fluids must include the following language:
This claim is allowed for exposure to blood or other bodily fluid for the limited purpose provided by ORC 4123.026, which provides for the payment of appropriate post-exposure diagnostic services, consistent with the standard of medical care existing at the time of the exposure, in the absence of injury, occupational disease or death. No other form of compensation or benefits is payable in this claim unless it is found that the injured worker has sustained an injury, occupational disease or death as a result of employment.