The Workers' Compensation Advisory Commission created the Ombudsperson’s office in 1977 to assist injured workers, employers and medical providers in dealing with BWC and the Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC).

What we do
The Ombuds office serves as an impartial liaison between the injured worker, employer or medical provider, and the BWC or the IC. We investigate complaints and answer general inquiries about the Ohio workers’ compensation system.

The Chief Ombudsperson prepares an annual report, which contains the number, type and outcomes of the complaints handled by this office. The report also includes a list of recommendations, which if implemented will improve the quality of service to employers and injured workers, and reduce future complaints.
2006 Annual Report | 2005 Annual Report

What we don’t do
By law, the Ombuds office cannot represent an injured worker or employer at a hearing, give legal advice nor express an opinion on a BWC administrative or IC hearing order. We do not take the place of the claims services specialist assigned to a claim. We do not have the authority to reverse decisions.

When to contact us
If you have a complaint, first discuss it with your assigned claims services specialist, employer services specialist or the department directly involved. If needed, ask to speak with a supervisor. In many cases, this action can resolve the problem or help you better understand the issue.

Contact us if:

• You have made a reasonable effort to resolve your problem through normal processes, and it is still not resolved;
• You need more information and don’t know where to turn;
• You are not satisfied with BWC or IC services;
• You have an emergency that requires immediate action within the workers’ compensation system;

How to contact us

Ombudsperson Office
30 W. Spring St, fourth floor
Columbus, OH 43215-2256

OR

Ombudsperson Office
615 W. Superior Ave., sixth floor
Cleveland, OH 43113-1889

Phone: 1-800-335-0996
Fax: (614) 644-1998
E-mail: Ombudsperson