Members of partnerships, owners of sole proprietorships, and officers of family farm corporations, are not covered as employees under Ohio Workers’ Compensation law unless specifically requested.

Ohio’s workers’ compensation system is a mandatory participation system. Companies with one or more employees must pay into the system. Every “employee” who suffers a work-related injury is protected under the workers’ compensation laws. However, members of partnerships, owners of sole proprietorships, and officers of family farm corporations are not considered “employees” under the workers’ compensation laws.

Under Ohio law, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and family farm corporations, that are employers in ohio, may elect to include members of such partnerships, owners of such sole proprietorships, and officers of such family farm corporations, as employees. However, such employers must make such election by submitting written notice to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation identifying the person to be covered, and providing additional mandatory information. If no such written notice is provided, the person is not covered as an employee, and will not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for work-related injuries.