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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 4123-14 | Noncomplying Employer

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 4123-14-01 | Non-complying employers within the meaning of the law.
 

(A) An employer, as defined in division (B) of section 4123.01 of the Revised Code, that either fails to establish or maintain industrial coverage, or fails to make payments of premiums to the state insurance fund, as set forth by Chapter 4123. of the Revised Code and the rules of the industrial commission and the bureau of workers' compensation, or fails to comply with the requirements for self-insurance under section 4123.35 of the Revised Code and the rules of the industrial commission or bureau of workers' compensation, is a non-complying employer.

(B) An employer, as defined in division (B) of section 4123.01 of the Revised Code that, after a final adjudication, has failed to pay an obligation, billing, account or assessment that is greater than one thousand dollars on or before its due date, is a non-complying employer.

(1) For purposes of this rule, due date is defined as sixty days after the invoice date of an obligation, billing, account or assessment that is greater than one thousand dollars if no administrative appeal as permitted by law is filed or sixty days following an administrative or court order that has become final.

(2) Coverage will lapse if an obligation, billing, account or assessment that is greater than one thousand dollars remains unpaid as of the due date as defined in paragraph (B)(1) of this rule.

(C) An employer found to be a non-complying employer under paragraph (B) of this rule will have coverage reinstated as of the date of payment of an obligation, billing, account or assessment that is greater than one thousand dollars from which no appeal or protest is filed.

(D) An employer found to be a non-complying employer under paragraph (B) of this rule and that has filed a timely protest or appeal, will have coverage reinstated and noncompliance period vacated, pending final administrative adjudication of that protest or appeal.

Last updated October 1, 2024 at 9:13 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4123.01, 4123.35, 4123.75
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2029
Rule 4123-14-02 | Procedures for the collection of premiums from non-complying employers.
 

(A) Whenever the bureau of workers' compensation finds that an employer that was subject to division (B)(2) of section 4123.01 of the Revised Code failed to comply with the law in matters of workers' compensation coverage, the bureau shall notify the employer in writing of such a finding. The notice will outline the period of time during which the employer was an amenable employer, and specify that the employer has twenty days from the service of the notice to pay the applicable premium or penalty as set forth by law.

(B) If the employer does not pay the applicable premium or penalty within the twenty day period referred to in paragraph (A) of this rule, the bureau or its authorized agent shall immediately make an assessment of the amount due from the employer, based on such information as may be in the possession of the bureau, in accordance with sections 4123.32 and 4123.37 of the Revised Code.

(C) The bureau or its authorized agent shall give the employer written notice of any action taken. The notice shall be mailed to the employer at its residence or usual place of business by certified mail with return receipt requested. The notice will inform the employer that unless it files with the bureau within twenty days after receipt of the notice, a petition for reassessment in writing, verified under oath by the employer, or its authorized agent having knowledge of the facts, setting forth in detail the items of the assessment objected to and the reason for the objection, the assessment shall become final and the amount thereof shall be due and payable from the employer so assessed to the state insurance fund.

(D) The bureau or its authorized agent, under the authority of section 4123.78 of the Revised Code, shall file with the county recorder of any counties in which such employer's property may be located a certificate of the amount of premium and penalty due from such employer and the amount due shall be a lien from the date of filing against the real and personal property of the employer within each county in which such certificate is filed.

(E) In the event a petition objecting to the assessment is duly filed by the employer, the bureau shall reexamine the assessment that is the subject of the petition and refer the matter to the secretary of the adjudicating committee, who will schedule the matter for a hearing before the bureau of workers' compensation adjudicating committee. The notice of hearing shall be mailed to the petitioner by certified mail and to its representative, setting forth the date, time and place of the hearing. It will be mailed to the parties, as indicated above, not less than fourteen days before the date of such a hearing. In justifiable cases an emergency hearing may be arranged.

(F) A copy of the administrator's finding and order shall be mailed by certified mail to the party assessed and by regular mail to the representative of such a party.

(G) If the administrator orders the employer to pay the assessment, payment is due ten days after the notice of the finding and order of the administrator was mailed to such employer.

(H) The employer has the right to appeal the administrator's decision to the court of common pleas of Franklin county upon the execution of a bond to the state in double the amount due and ordered paid by the bureau, upon the condition that the employer will pay any judgment and costs rendered against it for the premium, as provided in section 4123.37 of the Revised Code.

(I) When no petition objecting to the assessment is filed or when a finding is made affirming or modifying such an assessment after hearing, a certified copy of the assessment, as affirmed or modified, shall be filed by the bureau not later than twenty days from the date the order has become final, with the clerk of the common pleas court in any county in which the employer has property or in which the employer has a place of business, for the purpose of obtaining a judgment for the state against the employer in the amount shown on the assessment. As soon as the judgment is rendered, proper action shall be taken to levy execution on said judgment.

(J) However, an assessment or judgment, as outlined in the preceding paragraphs of this rule, shall not be a bar to the adjustment of the employer's account upon the employer furnishing his payroll records to the bureau.

(K) In addition to the procedures outlined in paragraphs (A) to (I) of this rule, the administrator of the bureau will, in justifiable cases, certify the matter to the attorney general's office with a request that the employer be enjoined from further operation in accordance with section 4123.79 of the Revised Code and/or that criminal proceedings be instituted against the employer for penalties under division (C) of section 4123.99 of the Revised Code. Furthermore, in cases where the employer failed to furnish to the bureau the annual payroll report and other related information as set forth by section 4123.26 of the Revised Code, a civil action will be brought against such employer in the name of the state to collect the penalty, as provided in that section.

(L) For counties and public employer taxing districts, the bureau shall keep an individual account showing the amount of money paid into the public insurance fund and the amount of losses incurred against the fund. When any such employer defaults in the payment of sums required to be contributed to such fund or any official fails to perform any act required to be performed in reference to the making of payments, the bureau shall institute the proper proceedings in the court to compel such payment.

Last updated October 1, 2024 at 9:13 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4123.24, 4123.26, 4123.32, 4123.37, 4123.48, 4123.50, 4123.751 to 4123.756, 4123.78, 4123.79, 4123.99
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/2009
Rule 4123-14-03 | Requests for waiver of a default in the payment of premium, for approval of the original workers' compensation coverage retroactively, and for abatement of penalties.
 

(A) The administrator of the bureau of workers' compensation, for good cause shown, may do any of the following:

(1) Waive a default in the payment of premium by an employer where workers' compensation coverage has lapsed, if such a default is of less than sixty days duration. If such a waiver is granted, workers' compensation coverage will be reinstated retroactively;

(2) Approve the original workers' compensation coverage to take effect retroactively;

(3) Abate penalties imposed on employers for failure to comply with the state of Ohio's workers' compensation statutes.

(4) Waive penalties for failure to file or pay amounts due under the annual payroll report.

(B) The term "good cause," as used in paragraph (A) of this rule, means a substantial reason, one that affords a legal justification or a legal excuse. If the employer is unable to establish "good cause" under this definition, the employer may also show "good cause" if the default is a one-time violation of the payment of premium or the filing of the annual payroll report.

(C) Such requests shall be submitted to the bureau by the employer concerned or by its duly authorized representative. The reason for the relief sought shall be fully explained. The bureau may hold a request in abeyance until the request is properly completed, and will notify the applicant of its response accordingly.

(D) The administrator may refer such requests to the bureau of workers' compensation adjudicating committee for further consideration and for the determination of the issue raised.

Last updated October 1, 2024 at 9:13 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4123.32, 4123.37, 4123.50, 119.14
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/13/2014
Rule 4123-14-04 | Procedures to recover from a non-complying employer the amount of money paid out of the state insurance fund for an industrial injury, occupational disease and/or death.
 

(A) Upon the filing of a workers' compensation claim, naming a non-complying employer as the employer, the attorney general's office will prepare and the bureau will file for record in the office of the county recorder in any counties where the employer's property is located, if known, or in any counties where the employer's business is located, an affidavit showing the date on which the application for compensation or benefits was filed, the name and address of the employer against whom it was filed, and the fact that said employer has not complied with section 4123.35 of the Revised Code. A copy of the application for compensation or benefits shall be filed with the affidavit. The affidavit constitutes a lien on employer's real property and tangible personal property within each county where it was filed.

(B) The bureau shall notify the employer, by mail and within the shortest time possible, of the filing of the application. Such notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the application and a copy of the affidavit, as described in paragraph (A) of this rule, and shall advise the employer that unless it files a timely answer to the application, the claim will be adjudicated upon the filed application.

(C) The employer, or its agent or attorney, shall verify its answer. Upon filing of such answer, the bureau shall immediately mail a copy of the answer to the employee. If the employee is represented, the bureau shall mail a copy to the representative.

(D) The lien on employer's property, as described in paragraph (A) of this rule, shall be cancelled under the following circumstances:

(1) The employer has paid the amount of all awards made by the commission and/or the bureau;

(2) There was a final order of disallowance of a claim;

(3) The employer has filed a bond or other security in such an amount and with such a surety as the bureau approves, conditioned on the employer's payment of all awards made by the commission and/or the bureau. The bureau may, in its discretion, grant a partial release of the lien, should this be necessary to facilitate the conduct of the employer's business, provided a sufficient security remains to pay any award that may be made in the claim;

(4) Settlement of employer's liability as provided in rule 4123-14-05 of the Administrative Code;

(5) The bureau, industrial commission, or court has determined that the employer subject to the lien is not the employer of record in the claim.

(E) In all cases of an employer's failure to pay the award of compensation or benefits, as approved by the industrial commission or the bureau, or to furnish a satisfactory bond within ten days after notification of such award, payment of the award from the surplus fund and the recovery of the monies so paid by the bureau will be in accordance with section 4123.75 of the Revised Code.

(F) The award of compensation or benefits, referred to in paragraph (D) of this rule, constitutes a liquidated claim for damages against the non-complying employer. The bureau shall certify the record to the attorney general to institute a civil action against the employer for collection of the award. Such action may be joined with the action to recover premium due from such employer.

Last updated October 1, 2024 at 9:14 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4123.50, 4123.75, 4123.76
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 11/26/1979, 12/18/1989 (Emer.), 2/22/1990, 12/13/2014
Rule 4123-14-05 | Settlement of liability of a non-complying employer.
 

(A) A non-complying employer may apply to the administrator of the bureau of workers' compensation for settlement of its liability to the state insurance fund. The request shall:

(1) Be submitted to the bureau by the employer concerned or by its duly authorized representative. The bureau may hold a request in abeyance until it is properly completed, and will notify the applicant of its response accordingly;

(2) Clearly set forth the circumstances by reason of which the proposed settlement is deemed desirable;

(3) Include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(a) The size of employer's business, including the number of employees;

(b) The location of the business, including each state in which the business is located;

(c) The length of time the employer has been in business;

(d) The nature and type of the employer's business for the past five years;

(e) A copy of the employer's federal and state income tax return for the past three years;

(f) A notarized financial statement of current assets and liabilities;

(g) A sworn statement to explain the reason for noncompliance with the "Ohio Workers' Compensation Act";

(h) The amount of the requested settlement; and

(i) Whether the employer is in business at the present time and complying with the "Ohio Workers' Compensation Act."

(B) The administrator may refer the request to the legal division of the bureau of workers' compensation for review, preparation of memorandum, and presentation to the adjudicating committee for approval or disapproval of the offer of settlement. The employer's past history with the bureau, if any, as reflected by the records of the bureau or industrial commission, may be verified. If additional information is needed for proper disposition of the case, the matter may be referred for investigation. In justifiable situations, an independent financial statement and the employer's credit rating may be obtained.

(C) The adjudicating committee may accept the offer of settlement if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that such a settlement:

(1) Is in the best interest of the state insurance fund;

(2) Is in the best interest of the employees of the employer concerned;

(3) Will be beneficial to the general welfare of the community; or

(4) Will best serve any other public purpose.

The decision of the adjudicating committee shall be reduced to writing and shall be mailed to all interested parties. An alternative delivery method may be used if agreed upon by the parties. The bureau may structure the payment of settlement with the employer for a period not exceeding twenty four months. Interest charges for the structured settlement shall be determined in accordance with section 131.02 of the Revised Code.

(D) The administrator will process an application to settle a liability for violation of a specific safety requirement in the same manner as set forth in this rule.

Last updated October 1, 2024 at 9:14 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4123.50, 4123.75
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/2022
Rule 4123-14-06 | Bureau of workers' compensation adjudicating committee.
 

(A) The administrator of the bureau of workers' compensation may delegate the authority granted to the administrator under Chapters 4121., 4123., and 4131. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted by the bureau of workers' compensation for determining employer premium, assessment, or penalty obligations or liabilities, eligibility for alternative premium plans or discount programs, or other employer-related disputes or issues as may be authorized under the workers' compensation statutes and rules. For this purpose, the administrator may appoint an adjudicating committee to provide employers with hearings on such matters referred by the administrator.

(1) An employer may file with the bureau a request for a hearing with the adjudicating committee only after the employer's request, protest, petition, or application has been reviewed by the appropriate bureau business unit and only after that business unit has notified the employer of the bureau's initial decision regarding the employer's request, protest, petition, or application.

(2) Unless a different time is provided by the Revised Code or the Administrative Code for such matter, an employer shall file a protest or appeal of the bureau's decision on the request, protest, petition, or application within two years of receipt of the bureau's determination.

(3) The employer shall state the specific grounds or reasons for the protest or appeal of the bureau's determination, and include supporting documentation. The bureau may refuse to grant a hearing to the employer where the employer has failed to state the specific grounds or reasons for the protest or appeal or has failed to provide supporting documentation as set forth by this rule.

(B) The adjudicating committee consists of three members appointed by the administrator who have expertise or experience in matters relating to employers.

(C) The adjudicating committee shall hold meetings and hearings to determine matters referred to it by the administrator. With the approval of the administrator, the adjudicating committee members may delegate alternate bureau employees to act on their behalf. The adjudicating committee may issue decisions without formal hearing, but shall afford an employer the opportunity for a formal hearing upon request. A prompt, efficient, and expeditious determination of matters will be ensured to protect the interests of employers and the state insurance fund.

(D) If an employer requests a hearing before the adjudicating committee, and has complied with paragraph (A)(1) of this rule, or the adjudicating committee determines that a hearing is in the best interests of the employer or the state insurance fund, the adjudicating committee shall notify the employer and its representatives not less than fourteen days before the date of such hearing, setting forth the date, time and place of the hearing. In justifiable cases, an emergency hearing may be arranged with the adjudicating committee and the fourteen day time period for notice may be waived.

(E) The adjudicating committee shall keep a record of its dockets and proceedings. The adjudicating committee's decisions shall be reduced to writing and mailed to all interested parties and state the reason for the adjudicating committee's decision, including the evidence upon which the decision was based. The decision of the adjudicating committee is the decision of the administrator. If the employer files a written appeal within thirty days of the employer's receipt of the decision, the administrator or the administrator's designee shall hear the appeal of the decision and conduct a hearing for such purpose. Mail service may be waived by any party where e-mail or alternative means of delivery is agreed upon.

(F) The administrator may authorize the adjudicating committee to consider the following matters:

(1) Requests for waiver of a default in the payment of a premium under section 4123.37 of the Revised Code;

(2) Requests for settlement of liability of a non-complying employer under section 4123.75 of the Revised Code;

(3) Petitions objecting to assessment of premium under rule 4123-14-02 of the Administrative Code and section 4123.37 of the Revised Code;

(4) Employer's request for abatement of penalties under rule 4123-14-03 of the Administrative Code and section 4123.32 of the Revised Code;

(5) Protests of audit findings, manual classifications, experience ratings, retrospective ratings, or transfers or combinations of risk experience;

(6) Any other risk or premium matter under Chapters 4121., 4123., and 4131. of the Revised Code; and

(7) Petitions objecting to the amount of security required under division (D) of section 4125.05 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted pursuant to that section or under division (D) of section 4133.07 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted pursuant to that section.

Last updated October 1, 2024 at 9:14 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4121.12, 4121.121
Amplifies: 4123.32, 4123.37, 4123.75, 4123.78
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/18/1989, 3/25/2014, 12/13/2014