What should an employer do if an employee refuses treatment after being injured?
In Ohio, an injured employee generally has the right to refuse medical treatment or evaluation, as no one can be physically forced to undergo care.
What Employers Should Do
Do Not Coerce or Force Care: Avoid pressuring, threatening, or forcing the employee to go to a clinic, as adults retain the right to make healthcare choices.
Offer Resources Clearly: Provide information on available occupational health providers or urgent care clinics that accept BWC insurance.
Document Everything:
Write a detailed internal incident report outlining what happened, when it occurred, and what care was offered.
Have the employee sign a Refusal of Treatment form (witnessed if possible). If the employee refuses to sign, document that refusal in the written incident report.
Provide Instructions for Later Symptoms: Clearly inform the employee in writing how they can report the injury later if symptoms worsen or if they change their mind and decide to seek evaluation. Per Ohio BWC they have 1 year to report the injury.
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