Ohio Attorney General Will Not Appeal Court Decision on Injured Workers

Ohio workers injured while on jobs they obtained through welfare work-relief programs could see benefits increased following a decision by the Ohio state’s new attorney general not to appeal a court decision that supported the workers.

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann announced this week that he will not appeal a decision by the 10th District Court of Appeals in the case of State of Ohio ex. rel. William Beck vs. the Industrial Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

“Working with the Industrial Commission, we have decided not to appeal a decision in a case that pits a governmental institution against Ohioans injured while working their way off public assistance,” Dann said. “The Court of Appeals recognized that these workers were not being compensated fairly.”

The decision held that the calculation of a specific type of workers’ compensation for a work-relief employee who is injured is the same as the one used for other injured employees.

“I agree,” said Dann. “My decision not to appeal the Beck case exemplifies the three principles at the heart of my administration: First, I will jealously and zealously guard the independence of the Attorney General’s office, exercising my independent judgment as the Constitution and statutes of Ohio require me to do. Second, I understand that my clients are the people of the State of Ohio, not just its institutions and agencies.”

Source: Ohio Office of the Attorney General