House and Senate Bill Seeks to Provide Immunity for COVID-19

By: Robert L. Solt, IV
rsolt4@nullbugbeelawyers.com
With the re-opening of businesses following Ohio’s stay-at-home order, many employers are concerned about the potential civil liability regarding an outbreak at their place of business.

Ohio BWC COVID-19 Updates

Industrial Commission Votes Unanimously to Expand Docket to All Issues
As we previously reported, the Industrial Commission of Ohio limited the types of hearings that could be heard in response to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent transition to telephone hearings. The Industrial Commission held a Special Meeting June 3 at 10:00 am to determine if it will expand the limited docket to include additional issues.

Ohio Supreme Court Clarifies the Continuing Jurisdiction of the Commission

R.C. 4123.52 provides the Industrial Commission has continuing jurisdiction to modify or change its former orders. Ohio courts have held the continuing jurisdiction of the Commission is limited to five circumstances:

new and changed circumstances,
fraud,
clear mistake of fact,
clear mistake of law, or
error by an inferior tribunal.

Court of Appeals Finds Claimant Found Guilty of Assaulting Employer Entitled to TTD Compensation

Recently, the 10th District Court of Appeals posed the following rhetorical question to itself: “Can you be accused of assaulting your boss, get fired, be convicted (by plea, no less) of the assault, be at least preliminarily barred by court order from even setting foot in that workplace, and then still gain subsequent temporary disability status under Workers’ Compensation in connection with your (former) job?” Upon reviewing an extensive record and impassioned arguments from the empl

Industrial Commission Special Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Workers’ Compensation Docket Expansion

A Special Meeting of the members of the Ohio Industrial Commission will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 10:00 am.  The purpose of this Special Meeting is limited to the following: Adding hearing topics to the currently allowed, limited docket in concurrence and compliance with the current State of Emergency as declared by Governor Mike DeWine.
The meeting will be held via conference call as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.