Columbus Disability Lawyer
Understanding Disability Benefits for Columbus First Responders
In Columbus, our dedicated police officers and firefighters face unique challenges that can impact their health and well-being. Navigating the disability benefits process can be daunting, especially when you’re dealing with the physical and emotional toll of your service.
Local government entities, such as the Columbus Division of Police and the Columbus Fire Department, are committed to supporting their personnel. They offer guidance on how to file for disability benefits and what documentation is necessary. Yet, many officers and firefighters still encounter pain points, such as delays in processing claims or confusion over the different calculation methods available.
As a member of the Columbus community, we recognize the sacrifices you make every day. Our team is here to help you navigate the benefits process, ensuring you have the information you need to make informed decisions about your future. Whether you’re in the heart of downtown Columbus or serving in the surrounding neighborhoods, we are dedicated to providing personalized support tailored to your specific situation.
Benefits Calculation for Ohio Police & Firefighters
Once the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund approves your disability application, you will want to know how your monthly benefit has been calculated. Below is a summary of how the Police and Fire Pension Fund will calculate your benefit and the credits you may receive. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact our Ohio workers' compensation attorneys to discuss your possible benefits.
Benefit Calculation Methods
The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund ("Police & Fire") will calculate your disability retirement benefit using the Cost-of-Living Allowance ("COLA") method, unless you chose to have it calculated under the Non-COLA method. You may choose the Non-COLA method only if you had at least 15 years of service credit as of January 1, 1989.
The Cost-of-Living Allowance Method
Under the COLA method, Police & Fire calculates your disability benefit by using the average of your three (3) highest years of salary, compensation and earnings (but not including any terminal pay such as unused sick leave, vacation, personal leave, etc.), and multiplying that amount by the relevant percentage. Under this method, Police & Fire awards you a cost-of-living increase equal to 3 percent of your base pension benefit on the anniversary of your retirement date each year.
The Non-Cost-of-Living Allowance Method
If you had at least 15 years of service credit as of January 1, 1989, and elected the Non-COLA method, Police & Fire calculates your disability benefit by using your average annual salary, including any allowable terminal pay, and multiplying that amount by the relevant percentage, subject to certain statutory and administrative limitations. Since the salary used for pension calculation purposes is higher than the COLA calculation, the Non-COLA method provides for no cost-of-living increases to your benefits.
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Abbie has been nothing but amazing with my workman's comp claim. She is up front and honest about everything regarding my claim. She is down to earth and very approachable. She made sure they approved and paid for everything within my claim. If I ever needed her again I would absolutely choose her. I will also refer others to her as well.- F. Towns -
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Wish I had contacted Chuck Zamora earlier in the workers comp process. Him and his group were fantastic, can't thank them enough.- Daniel S. -
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Mr Chuck helped me with a worker compensation claim,they worked with me throughout the process from day one until the end. He is respectful,knowledgeable on what he does and always open to answer your questions or concerns.....highly recommended- Former Client -
“Extremely knowledgeable”
Mr Zamura was extremely knowledgeable with all phases of my Ohio Police and Fire disability claim. He followed up on all aspects and made sure I was informed and up to date with everything going on. He was prompt at returning calls and emails if needed. His application paperwork was done very thoroughly which helped the process go much easier with the OP&F review board. His staff was great also. I would recommend him to anyone looking into a possible disability claim. I am from Akron and he is in Columbus. I only made 2 trips down to see him face to face. Everything else was done electronically or by phone.- Steve H. -
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I hired Mr Zamora and could not have been happier. He was a professional with high ethical standards and represented me well, gave me excellent legal advice, peace of mind through the process and handled everything efficiently and effectively! I would highly recommend him to any of my fellow police officers or fireman!- Don M. -
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If I had to go through such a situation with BWC I’m forever grateful it was with these people walking through it together...Charles & his secretary Iesha & Danielle. They ALWAYS treated me with kindness, dignity, & respect. They treated my situation as if it just as important to them as it was to me. They ALWAYS made me feel like I was their only one... trust me they have many & for good reasons. It makes my heart happy knowing there are still hardworking wonderful people out there doing what they do & fighting for the right reasons because they genuinely care. I’ll always feel fortunate to have met them. 🙏❤️🙏- Erica -
“If you've been injured at your job then you need Abbie from Zamora & Hogan Co., L.P.A. She is the best!”
- Mostafa O.If you've been injured at your job then you need Abbie from Zamora & Hogan Co., L.P.A. She is the best! She is smart, patient, and hard working. Attorney Abbie Hogan will get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
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Types of Credit - Service Credit
Police & Fire measures "service credit" in years, months and days. It may or may not be used in determining the size of your monthly benefit amount. At the time of your retirement, Police & Fire will provide you with information to determine whether it would be to your advantage to purchase any available service credit.
You may acquire service credit in one of the following ways:
- By contributing a certain percentage of your salary to Police & Fire concurrent with your police or fire employment;
- By purchasing credit for active military duty, certain types of full-time Ohio public service, and full-time Federal or public out-of-state service from Police & Fire;
- By transferring credit for full-time Ohio public service from one of the other Ohio retirement systems, the Cincinnati Retirement System, or the State Highway Patrol Retirement System, with interest, to Police & Fire;
- By restoring canceled credit by re-depositing withdrawn contributions with interest with Police & Fire; or
- By qualifying for grants of service credit.
Types of Credit – Purchased Credit
Subject to certain restrictions, you may purchase credit for full-time service rendered in Ohio under any of the following retirement systems:
- Public Employees Retirement System;
- School Employees Retirement System;
- Cincinnati Retirement System;
- State Teachers Retirement System; and
- State Highway Patrol Retirement System.
In addition, you may purchase service credit for time served in active military duty, active military duty for training, initial active military duty for training, inactive military duty training, full-time national guard duty, and for time you are absent for an examination to determine your fitness to perform military duty, provided you were honorably discharged and the appropriate paperwork is filed with Police & Fire supporting your service. There are certain conditions and limitations. Also, you may purchase credit for time during which you were a prisoner of war.
The above information is intended solely as an overview. It is advisable that you contact a Columbus disability attorney from Zamora & Hogan Co., L.P.A. to assess the merits of your individual claim.
Please call us at (614) 344-6822 to discuss the specifics of your case.
We are devoted to fighting for the rights of injured workers and their families. We provide personal attention to your claim, answer your questions promptly, and pursue all benefits you are entitled under the law.
