Press releases
Trucker and 10 others convicted in April for cheating BWC
COLUMBUS - An Ohio truck driver who worked for more than two years while collecting disability benefits could be ordered to pay more than $78,000 in restitution at his sentencing for workers' compensation fraud June 14.
Cleveland fraudster owes BWC nearly $200,000
COLUMBUS - A Cleveland-area man owes the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) nearly $200,000 after the agency found him working for nearly seven years while collecting disability benefits.
Workers' comp open enrollment begins April 30
COLUMBUS - The open enrollment period for Ohio employers to select a managed care organization (MCO) to oversee medical treatment for workers injured on the job will begin Monday, April 30, and continue through Friday, May 25.
What they're saying: Ohio workers' comp $1.5 billion rebate proposal
Gov. John R. Kasich and Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison today proposed giving Ohio employers $1.5 billion in premium rebates this summer, expanding workers' comp savings for employers to $8 billion since 2011. The rebate would be BWC's largest in 20 years.
Kasich and BWC propose $1.5 billion rebate for Ohio employers
COLUMBUS - Gov. John R. Kasich and the top executive for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) on Tuesday proposed giving Ohio employers $1.5 billion in premium rebates this summer, expanding workers' comp savings for employers to $8 billion since 2011.
Ohio BWC secures five fraud-related convictions in March
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation secured five fraud-related convictions in March and restitution orders totaling more than $41,000.
Northeast Ohio man charged in $684K work comp/Social Security fraud scheme
COLUMBUS - Thomas H. Cannell's friendly voicemail greeting blew his cover, and now the fireplace salesman from northeast Ohio faces potential prison time and a bill for more than $684,000 for defrauding the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and the Social Security Administration for decades.
For Cleveland man, there's something about workers' comp fraud
COLUMBUS - Kenneth L. Gilmore doesn't give up easily, even if the price means prison, probation and steep financial penalties.
BWC awards $370,000 in grants to protect Ohio firefighters
COLUMBUS - Thirty-seven Ohio fire departments will share $369,678 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) under a program to protect firefighters from carcinogens and other harmful elements encountered during a fire fight.
Ohio employers receive $1.5 million in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Seventy-three Ohio employers will share $1,521,059 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
Day care owner guilty of work comp fraud
COLUMBUS - A Columbus day care owner and nursing assistant pleaded guilty Tuesday to a fifth-degree felony count of workers' compensation fraud after her former employer reported her to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) for the crime.
Graphic artist guilty of work comp fraud
COLUMBUS - A former Ohioan injured on the job in 1991 pleaded guilty to workers' compensation fraud March 5 after investigators found him working in Colorado while collecting injured workers' benefits from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC).
BWC expands grant program for firefighter safety
COLUMBUS - Due to heavy demand, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) is more than doubling its funding for a new grant program aimed at protecting firefighters from carcinogens and other toxins that cause long-term health ailments.
Health and safety of Ohio's workforce focus of BWC conferences
COLUMBUS - The largest regional safety and health conference in the United States will run March 7-9 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Opioid dependence continues to fall in Ohio's work comp system
COLUMBUS - The number of opioid-dependent injured workers in the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation system fell 19 percent in 2017, the sixth consecutive year the numbers have fallen under BWC's efforts to reduce opioid use
and build a model pharmacy program.
Central Ohio man convicted of work comp fraud
COLUMBUS - A Lancaster man must pay the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation nearly $7,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to workers' compensation fraud Monday for a scheme that could land his girlfriend in court as well.
BWC secures three convictions in January
COLUMBUS - A funeral home worker and two cleaning company owners owe the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation $30,000 after pleading guilty to workers' compensation fraud or related charges in January, the bureau's first convictions of the new year.
BWC awards $377,000 in grants to protect Ohio firefighters
COLUMBUS - Thirty-nine Ohio fire departments will share $376,517 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) under a new program to reduce firefighters' exposure to toxic environmental elements.
Ohio employers receive $341,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Fourteen Ohio employers will share $341,020 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
Funeral escort earns felony conviction for work comp fraud
COLUMBUS - A Columbus man injured in 2014 while working as a motorcycle escort for funeral processions must reimburse the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) more than $10,400 after pleading guilty to workers' compensation fraud Wednesday in a Columbus courtroom.
Double-digit workers' comp rate reduction proposed
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) asked its board of directors today to reduce private employer premium rates by 12 percent beginning July 1.
BWC to roll out workplace wellness program
COLUMBUS - Officials with Ohio's insurance fund for injured workers began canvassing the state Thursday to announce a new, free workplace wellness program that targets workers who are at greater risk for on-the-job injuries.
Cleaning company owner soils record with fraud conviction
COLUMBUS - Officials with Ohio's insurance fund for injured workers began canvassing the state Thursday to announce a new, free workplace wellness program that targets workers who are at greater risk for on-the-job injuries.
Register now for March workplace health and safety, medical conferences
COLUMBUS - Registration is now open for two annual conferences hosted by Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC).
Trego named BWC pharmacy director
COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison announced today the appointment of Dr. Nicholas D. Trego to lead the agency's pharmacy operations.
Five Northeast Ohioans convicted of work comp fraud
COLUMBUS - Four claimants and one employer from northeast Ohio were sentenced in November for defrauding the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC).
Ohio carpenter nailed for work comp fraud
COLUMBUS - A southeastern Ohio man must reimburse the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) more than $23,000 after investigators found him working several jobs while collecting injured worker's benefits.
Ohio employers receive $373,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Sixteen Ohio employers will share $372,967 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
BWC awards 331,000 in grants to protect Ohio firefighters
COLUMBUS - Thirty-three Ohio fire departments will share $331,112 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) under a new program to reduce firefighters' exposure to toxic environmental elements.
Cleveland convict adds work comp fraud to criminal record
COLUMBUS - A Cleveland garbage hauler and construction worker serving time in a federal prison for fraud, money laundering and violating the Clean Air Act pleaded guilty to workers' compensation fraud last week.
Safe workplaces another reason to be thankful in Ohio
COLUMBUS - Ohioans can count safe workplaces as another reason to be thankful this week.
BWC, State Fire Marshal outline safety resources available to Ohio's firefighting community
COLUMBUS - In light of recent media attention to cancer risks and other on-the-job dangers faced by firefighters, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) is partnering with the State Fire Marshal's office to educate Ohio firefighters about safety resources available through their agencies.
Toledo woman convicted for taking late boyfriend's work comp benefits
COLUMBUS - A Toledo woman who cashed her late boyfriend's work comp benefits for more than a year after his death must reimburse the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation more than $18,000 or serve 10 months in prison, a Lucas County judge ruled Oct. 5.
Ohio employers receive $993,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Forty Ohio employers will share $993,094 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
BWC awards $406,000 in grants to protect Ohio firefighters
COLUMBUS - Thirty-eight Ohio fire departments will share $406,270 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) under a new program to reduce firefighters' exposure to toxic environmental elements.
Employers, look through your old mail! $10 million in rebate checks remain uncashed
COLUMBUS - Somewhere in Ohio nearly $10 million in rebate checks from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) sit ready for cashing by more than 5,500 employers who might not even know it.
Norwalk native captures work comp industry award
COLUMBUS - Norwalk native Kendra DePaul was named one of 11 rising leaders in the workers' compensation industry during an international conference today in Portland, Oregon.
BWC captures industry awards
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) collected two international awards for its innovative response to the opioid epidemic and for an employee regarded as an up-and-comer in the work comp industry.
Ohio local government workers' comp rate decrease approved
COLUMBUS - Ohio public employers will pay an average of 6.1 percent less in workers' compensation premiums beginning Jan. 1. The cut will decrease the amount the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) collects from these employers by $11.8 million next year.
BWC fraud investigators secure 8 convictions in August
COLUMBUS - Business owners, claimants and a healthcare provider who attempted to cheat the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) are among eight convictions secured by the agency in August.
Ohio employers receive $375,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Fourteen Ohio employers will share $375,000 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
'Blind' man who drives, directs traffic, guilty of theft from workers' comp agency
COLUMBUS - A Toledo-area man who claimed he was too visually impaired to work must pay the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation nearly $15,000 in restitution after investigators found him driving, parking cars and directing traffic at a parking facility he owns in downtown Toledo.
Ohio's Fallen Workers Memorial honors those lost to workplace injury and illness
COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison today hosted the Ohio Fallen Workers Memorial, an annual event honoring Ohioans who died as a result of a workplace accident or illness.
Two Ohio restaurant owners convicted for cheating workers' comp system
COLUMBUS - The owner of a central Ohio restaurant must reimburse the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) $9,406 after his former employer accused him of cheating the agency.
BWC proposes rate cut for Ohio local governments
COLUMBUS - School districts, cities and other Ohio local government employers could see a 6.1 percent reduction in their workers' compensation premiums beginning Jan. 1.
BWC fraud investigators secure 7 convictions in July
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation secured seven convictions in July of employers and injured workers who attempted to cheat the agency.
Welsh appointed BWC's chief medical officer
COLUMBUS - The former chief medical advisor for the Ohio Industrial Commission will join the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) as its chief medical officer on Monday.
$8.3 million in workers' comp rebate checks headed to Lawrence and Scioto counties
COLUMBUS - Private and public employers in Lawrence and Scioto counties will collect $8.3 million in rebates from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), the agency's top executive announced Tuesday during a visit to southern Ohio.
Ohio employers receive $295,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Twelve Ohio employers will share more than $294,675 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
Youngstown area employers to receive $60 million in work comp rebates
LEETONIA - The Youngstown area will collect nearly $60 million as part of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's $1 billion rebate for Ohio employers, the agency's top executive announced Tuesday during a visit to a Leetonia company.
Northeast Ohio employers to receive $269 million in work comp rebates
AKRON - Northeast Ohio employers will collect more than $269 million as part of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's $1 billion rebate for Ohio employers, the agency's top executive announced Tuesday during a visit to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
New BWC rule: rest and rehab before lumbar surgery
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) board of directors approved a rule June 23 discouraging surgery and opioid use in favor of conservative therapy for workers with lower back injuries.
$140 million in workers' comp rebate checks headed to Southwest Ohio employers
CINCINNATI - Employers in the the Southwest Ohio region will collect more than $140 million in rebates from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) in checks that BWC began mailing July 10.
Dayton-Springfield area employers to receive $63 million in work comp rebates
COLUMBUS - The Dayton-Springfield area will collect more than $63 million in rebate checks going out this month as part of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation's $1 billion rebate for Ohio employers, the agency's top executive announced Monday during a visit to a Vandalia company.
$35 million in workers' comp rebate checks headed to East Central Ohio employers
NEWARK - Employers in the East Central Ohio region will collect nearly $35 million in rebates from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) in checks that BWC began mailing this week.
Franklin County employers to receive $126 million in work comp rebates
COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison presented a check for more than $342,000 today to Hirschvogel Inc. during a stop on her statewide tour to promote the agency's $1 billion rebate for Ohio employers.
$15 million in workers' comp rebate checks headed to southern Ohio employers
GALLIPOLIS - Employers in five southern Ohio counties will collect nearly $15 million in rebates from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) in checks the agency began mailing this week.
$79 million in workers' comp rebate checks headed to Northwest Ohio
TOLEDO - Employers in the Northwest Ohio region will collect $79 million in rebates from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation in checks that will be mailed beginning next week.
$33 million in workers' comp rebate checks headed to West Central Ohio
LIMA - Employers in the greater West Central Ohio region will collect $33 million in rebates from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation in checks that will be mailed beginning next week.
Ohio employers receive $732,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Twenty-nine Ohio employers will share more than $732,000 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
BWC issues RFPs to advance safety, health and wellness of Ohio's workforce
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) is seeking suppliers to support new health and safety initiatives expected to launch in early 2018
BWC secures 11 convictions in May
COLUMBUS - Ohioans convicted in May of workers' compensation fraud and related charges include a Cleveland-area man serving time...
Ohio employers receive $677,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Twenty-nine Ohio employers will share $677,000 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to purchase equipment
designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
Cincinnati tax preparer convicted of workers' comp fraud
COLUMBUS - A Cincinnati-area man who claimed to be permanently disabled from work while earning more than $100,000 preparing tax returns
owes the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) nearly $57,000 in restitution.
Office manager gets diversion program for fudging payroll reports
COLUMBUS - A Hocking County woman who falsified payroll reports to save her employer more than $52,000 in workers' compensation premiums will avoid a criminal record
for her actions if she successfully completes a diversion program by July 20.
Ohio safety stand-downs focus on preventing falls in the construction industry
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) will join the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls by sponsoring two no-cost fall
protection training courses this week focusing on safety in the construction industry.
Federal prisoner adds workers' comp fraud to record
COLUMBUS - A Cleveland-area man serving time in a federal prison on corruption charges added workers' compensation fraud to his rap sheet Monday when he pleaded guilty to the fifth-degree felony in a Franklin County courtroom.
Social networking site reveals work' comp' cheater
COLUMBUS - Most professionals use LinkedIn to showcase their experience, stay connected in the business community and perhaps land that dream job one day. For Kandice M. Klink Jones of Columbus, it didn’t work out so well.
Cleveland doctor sentenced on drug trafficking, fraud charges
COLUMBUS - A Cleveland doctor sentenced last week on felony charges of drug trafficking and workers' compensation fraud paid $30,000 in restitution to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and will no longer work in the BWC system.
Dr. Stephen Bernie, 77, also received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a year of probation during his sentencing April 26 in a Cuyahoga County courtroom. Besides the drug and fraud charges, he also pleaded guilty on April 5
to a felony count of tampering with records.
Ohio employers receive $474,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Twenty-six Ohio employers will share more than $474,000 in grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to
purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
Lt. Governor Taylor, BWC announce $44 million investment in workplace safety and wellness
COLUMBUS - Lt. Governor Mary Taylor and Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison today announced
a $44 million investment in workplace safety, health and wellness.
Salem company earns rare workplace safety recognition
SALEM - A Salem company is one of just 26 Ohio worksites recognized as a model of workplace safety by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Marietta College invests in workplace safety
MARIETTA - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison visited Marietta today to recognize Marietta College and
other local employers for their commitment to workplace safety.
BWC nets nine fraud convictions in March
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation secured nine convictions in March of workers and employers who cheated, or attempted to cheat, the agency out of funds
BWC Pharmacy Director receives Governor's Award for Employee Excellence
COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation Pharmacy Director Johnnie Hanna received the Governor's Award for Employee Excellence.
Coal miner digs himself a hole in fraud scheme
COLUMBUS - A former coal miner from northeast Ohio owes the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) more than $40,000 after BWC
investigators found him creating phony employment records to secure BWC cash benefits.
Try as he might, tree trimmer can't cheat BWC and get away with it
COLUMBUS - An Akron tree trimmer with a history of cheating the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) owes more than $17,000 in restitution to
the state agency following his guilty plea last month in a Summit County courtroom.
5 convicted on work comp fraud charges in February
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation secured five convictions in February of Ohioans who cheated the agency out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Private employer workers' comp premiums remain at 40 year low
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors today voted to keep the overall average rate level for Ohio private employers
steady for the policy year that begins July 1.
BWC proposes another $1 billion workers' comp rebate
COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison today proposed a $1 billion rebate for Ohio's private
and public employers, the third such rebate since 2013.
Ohio employers earn cash and kudos for creative safety solutions
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) today presented individual awards of up to $6,000 to five Ohio employers who developed
innovative solutions to reduce potential workplace injuries.
Man's claim of mistaken identity fools no one; ordered to pay $22K to BWC
COLUMBUS - A Knox County man caught scamming the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and trying to lie his way out of it was ordered to reimburse
the agency $22,578 Tuesday and to pay $1,000 of it within six months or spend six months in jail.
Workplace safety education, expert speakers, live demos to highlight BWC conference
COLUMBUS - The 2017 Ohio Safety Congress amd Expo (OSC17) will run March 8-10 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Cleveland chiropractor convicted of workers' comp fraud
COLUMBUS - A Cleveland chiropractor refunded the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation more than $57,000 on Feb. 15 and agreed to stop treating injured
workers in the BWC system after pleading guilty to workers' compensation fraud in a Franklin County courtroom.
Ohio employers receive $895,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison has announced 34 employers will share more than $895,000 in grants.
BWC brings message of safety to Four County Career Center students
ARCHBOLD - Workplace safety was the theme of the day Tuesday at the Four County Career Center...
BWC secures 13 fraud convictions in January
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) is owed more than $66,000 in restitution from injured worker
claimants who were convicted and sentenced in January on fraud-related charges.
Limo driver takes work comp system for a ride, now owes BWC $80,000
COLUMBUS - A former school bus driver caught working as a limousine driver while receiving injured workers' benefits
must pay the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation $80,000 and serve five years probation.
Ohio employers receive $942,000 in workplace safety grants
COLUMBUS - Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison today announced 41 employers will share more than $942,000
in grants to purchase equipment designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses.
Convicts stole work comp benefits from family members
COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) secured seven fraud-related convictions in December that included two cases where the convicts had stolen injured workers' benefits from family members
Ohio's premier workplace health and safety conference March 8-10 in Columbus
COLUMBUS - Registration is now open for the 2017 Ohio Safety Congress and Expo (OSC17), the largest regional safety and health conference in the U.S.
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