The Ohio Industrial Commission (IC-88) Application for Reconsideration is the form an injured worker or an employer files to ask the Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC) to take a second look at a permanent partial disability (PPD) decision made by a District Hearing Officer. You file it when you believe the percentage of permanent partial disability awarded in your claim is wrong, and you want the matter heard again. You can find the official form on the Industrial Commission forms page, and the form itself is hosted as the IC-88 Application for Reconsideration.
This form sits at a stressful point in a claim. A low PPD percentage can mean hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost compensation, and a missed deadline can close the door for good. Each year, thousands of Ohio workers’ compensation orders are appealed or reconsidered, and a large share get bounced for fixable reasons like missing grounds or no proof of service. The good news is that the IC-88 is short, free to file, and built for people without a lawyer.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 What the IC-88 is, who must file it, and the exact 14-day clock that controls it
- ✍️ How to fill out every line and box on the form, with named examples
- 📎 The documents and proof you must gather before you start
- 🚫 The mistakes that get a reconsideration request denied, and how to dodge them
- ❓ Field-level FAQs that answer the questions filers ask most
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The IC-88 is the Application for Reconsideration used to challenge a District Hearing Officer’s ruling on the extent of permanent partial disability in an Ohio workers’ compensation claim. The form text states it is “to be used by an injured worker or employer in making application for reconsideration of decisions of District Hearing Officers regarding extent of permanent partial disability,” which you can confirm on the official IC-88 form. It is filed with the Industrial Commission of Ohio, not the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), because the IC is the agency that adjudicates disputes in claims, as explained on the IC appeals process page.
Two groups file this form. The first is the injured worker who thinks the awarded PPD percentage is too low and wants more compensation. The second is the employer (or its representative) who thinks the percentage is too high and wants it reduced. Either party to the claim has the right to ask for reconsideration of a PPD decision.
The form is required because Ohio law gives the IC continuing power over each claim. Under R.C. 4123.52, the Commission’s jurisdiction over a case is continuing, and it may modify or change a prior finding when, in its opinion, that is justified. The deadline that governs the filing is 14 days from the date you receive the order, and the penalty for missing it is the loss of your reconsideration right. These four pieces — purpose, agency, statute, and deadline — work together, and getting the deadline wrong undoes everything else.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather your paperwork before you open the form. A reconsideration request can be denied for missing pieces, so the checklist below matters. The reconsideration guidelines in Resolution R18-1-06 spell out what a complete request must contain, and each item here ties back to those rules.
- Your claim number. This ties the form to your file; without it, the IC cannot match your request to your claim and processing stalls.
- The District Hearing Officer order you are challenging. You need the order date and the PPD percentage it set, because your whole argument turns on what that order said.
- The date you received the order. The 14-day clock runs from receipt, so this date decides whether your filing is on time.
- Your full legal name and mailing address. The IC mails decisions and hearing notices here, and a wrong address means you miss the next step.
- The opposing party’s name and address. You must send them a copy, so you need their current contact details and their representative’s details.
- Your specific grounds for reconsideration. You must state why the order is wrong, such as a clear mistake of fact or new evidence.
- Newly discovered evidence, if any. If you have proof that could not have been found before the order, it must be attached to the request.
- Any medical reports or exam results. A PPD fight is a medical fight, so the doctor’s report on your impairment percentage is often the heart of your case.
- Your representative’s information, if you have one. If an attorney or authorized rep is helping you, their details go on the form so the IC copies them on everything.
If any item is missing, the most common result is delay or denial. For example, a request with no claim number sits in a pile until staff can identify it, and by then your 14-day window may be a moot point.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the IC-88 directly from the Industrial Commission. The fastest route is the Industrial Commission forms page, which lists every IC form and notes that PPD reconsideration filers “should mail or fax (IC-88) Application for Reconsideration to the IC office where the hearing took place.” The form opens as a fillable PDF that you can complete on a computer or print and fill by hand.
If you cannot download it, you can request a paper copy. The IC’s forms help center gives an email of askIC@ic.ohio.gov and phone numbers of 614-466-6136 for the Columbus area or 800-521-2691 toll-free. Staff will mail you a copy or answer questions about which form fits your situation.
Type your answers when you can. Typed forms reduce the chance that a reader misreads a hand-printed claim number or percentage, and a misread number can route your form to the wrong file. If you fill it by hand, print in black ink and use clear block letters so every box is easy to read.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the IC-88 Application for Reconsideration Line by Line
The IC-88 is a short, one-page form, so most of your work is accuracy, not volume. Complete the boxes in the order they appear, then handle the grounds statement, the signature, and the proof of service. Each field below tells you what it asks, how to answer it, a sample entry, an edge case, the common mistake, and a misconception to drop.
Injured Worker’s Name
This field asks for the full legal name of the injured worker in the claim. Write the name exactly as it appears on the claim and on prior IC orders, last name and first name, with no nicknames. For example, Maria T. Lopez writes her name as it reads on her claim file, not “Mia Lopez.” If the worker’s name changed after marriage or divorce, use the name now on the claim and note the prior name in the grounds section if it helps the file match.
A common mistake is using a shortened or current name that does not match the claim record, which makes staff unsure the form belongs to your file and slows the match. The misconception to drop is that the worker’s name goes here even when the employer is the one filing. The injured worker’s name always goes in this box because the claim is identified by the worker, even when the employer requests the reconsideration.
Claim Number
This field asks for the workers’ compensation claim number assigned by BWC or the IC. Copy it exactly from your BWC correspondence or the order you are challenging, including every digit and any letters. For example, Marcus Bell enters 21-456789 exactly as printed on his District Hearing Officer order. If you have more than one claim, double-check that you are using the number for the claim where the PPD decision was made.
The common mistake is transposing digits or pulling a number from an unrelated claim, which sends your request to the wrong file and can blow your deadline while staff sort it out. The misconception is that the claim number is optional because your name is on the form. It is not optional; the claim number is the primary key the IC uses to find your case, and a blank or wrong number is one of the fastest ways to stall a filing.
Address (Injured Worker)
This field asks for the injured worker’s current mailing address. Enter the street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code where you reliably receive mail. For example, Maria T. Lopez writes 482 Oak Ridge Dr., Dayton, OH 45402. If you use a P.O. Box, that is fine, but make sure it is the box you check often, because hearing notices and the reconsideration decision are mailed here.
The common mistake is listing an old address after a move, which means the IC mails your hearing notice somewhere you no longer live and you miss the hearing. The misconception is that the IC will track you down by phone or email if mail bounces. It will not; the mailed notice to the address on file is the official notice, so a stale address can cost you a hearing you never knew was set.
Name and Address of Employer
This field asks for the employer’s legal name and mailing address in the claim. Enter the employer as it appears on the claim, with its full mailing address, so the opposing side is correctly identified. For example, worker Marcus Bell lists Buckeye Logistics Inc., 1500 Industrial Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43219. If the employer is self-insured, use the address for its claims department or third-party administrator if you have it.
The common mistake is leaving this blank or guessing the address, which makes it hard to confirm the opposing party and to prove you served them a copy. The misconception is that the IC will fill in the employer details for you from the file. It generally will not; you are responsible for identifying the opposing party so the Commission and you both know who must receive a copy of the request.
The Decision Being Reconsidered (Order Identification)
This field asks you to identify the District Hearing Officer order you want reconsidered. Enter the date of the order and, when there is space, the PPD percentage it set so the reader knows exactly which ruling is in dispute. For example, Marcus Bell writes that he seeks reconsideration of the DHO order dated 04/15/2026 awarding 8% permanent partial disability. Resolution R18-1-06 requires identification of the relevant orders from which reconsideration is sought, plus any underlying orders on the same issue.
The common mistake is naming the wrong order or only saying “the recent decision,” which leaves the IC guessing which ruling you mean. The misconception is that the IC automatically knows which order upset you. It does not read your mind; you must point to the exact order by date so the Commission reviews the right decision and not an earlier or later one.
Statement of Specific Grounds for Reconsideration
This field is the heart of the form. It asks why the order is wrong and what legal or factual basis supports a second look. State your grounds in plain, specific terms, and tie them to one of the recognized reasons: new and changed circumstances, fraud, a clear mistake of fact, a clear mistake of law, or an error by the hearing officer, as listed in Resolution R18-1-06. For example, Maria T. Lopez writes that the DHO relied on a 2024 exam and ignored Dr. Patel’s April 2026 report finding 15% impairment, a clear mistake of fact.
The form’s own instructions and the resolution both stress that you must give a recitation of the specific grounds, identify supporting documents and proof in the claim file, and cite legal authority where appropriate. A common mistake is writing something vague like “I disagree” or “the percentage is too low,” which gives no ground the IC can act on and invites denial. The misconception is that a strong feeling is enough; reconsideration is not a do-over of the hearing, and the Nicholls case limits it to the five specific prerequisites, so naming the right ground is what keeps your request alive.
Newly Discovered Evidence Attachment
This part asks whether you have evidence that could not have been found and filed before the order, and tells you to attach it. If you have such proof, attach it to the request and describe it briefly in your grounds. For example, Marcus Bell attaches a new independent medical exam dated 05/02/2026 that was not available at the time of the April hearing. Under Resolution R18-1-06, newly discovered evidence must be relevant and not merely corroborative of what you already submitted.
The common mistake is attaching old records you already filed and calling them “new,” which the IC will reject as merely corroborative. The misconception is that any helpful document counts as newly discovered. It does not; the evidence must be something that due diligence could not have produced before the order, so a report you simply forgot to file usually will not qualify.
Signature and Date
This field asks the filer (or representative) to sign and date the form. Sign your legal name and write the date you complete the form using MM/DD/YYYY format, such as 05/30/2026. If an authorized representative signs, they sign in their own name and note their role. An unsigned or undated form is treated as incomplete.
The common mistake is mailing the form without a signature, and like the related C-86 motion, an unsigned form cannot be processed. The misconception is that typing your name in the box counts as a wet signature on a mailed form; for paper filings, sign by hand so the agency accepts it, and date it the day you send it so your timeline is clear.
Proof of Service on the Opposing Party
This is a required step tied to the form, even though it can feel like an afterthought. You must send a copy of the request for reconsideration to the opposing party and their authorized representative at the same time you file it with the IC, as Section C of Resolution R18-1-06 requires. For example, worker Maria T. Lopez mails a copy to Buckeye Logistics Inc. and its attorney on the same day she faxes her IC-88 to the IC, and she keeps a note of when and how she sent it.
The common mistake is filing with the IC but never serving the other side, which can void the request because service is mandatory. The misconception is that the IC will forward your request to the employer for you. It will not; serving the opposing party is your job, and skipping it is a clean way to get your reconsideration tossed on a technicality.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three patterns below show how different filers complete the IC-88 from top to bottom. Each follows one named person through the key fields so you can see what a finished form looks like.
Scenario 1 — Maria, a worker who thinks her PPD percentage is too low. Maria injured her shoulder, the DHO awarded 8% PPD, and her new doctor found 15% impairment.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Injured Worker’s Name | Maria T. Lopez |
| Claim Number | 21-556677 |
| Address (Worker) | 482 Oak Ridge Dr., Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Name/Address of Employer | Buckeye Logistics Inc., 1500 Industrial Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43219 |
| Decision Being Reconsidered | DHO order dated 04/15/2026 awarding 8% PPD |
| Specific Grounds | Clear mistake of fact: DHO ignored Dr. Patel’s 04/2026 report finding 15% |
| Newly Discovered Evidence | Dr. Patel narrative report attached |
| Signature and Date | Maria T. Lopez, 05/30/2026 |
| Proof of Service | Copy mailed to employer and its counsel on 05/30/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Marcus, a worker filing after a new exam. Marcus got a fresh independent medical exam after his hearing and wants the higher impairment considered.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Injured Worker’s Name | Marcus Bell |
| Claim Number | 21-456789 |
| Address (Worker) | 77 Maple St., Toledo, OH 43604 |
| Name/Address of Employer | Northgate Manufacturing, 9 Plant Rd., Toledo, OH 43605 |
| Decision Being Reconsidered | DHO order dated 04/20/2026 awarding 6% PPD |
| Specific Grounds | New and changed circumstances: IME dated 05/02/2026 not available before order |
| Newly Discovered Evidence | Independent medical exam dated 05/02/2026 attached |
| Signature and Date | Marcus Bell, 05/12/2026 |
| Proof of Service | Copy faxed to employer’s TPA on 05/12/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Janet, an employer’s representative challenging a high award. Janet, a claims rep, believes the DHO set the percentage too high based on a math error.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Injured Worker’s Name | David R. Cho |
| Claim Number | 20-998877 |
| Address (Worker) | 310 Birch Ln., Akron, OH 44310 |
| Name/Address of Employer | Summit Foods LLC, 12 Commerce Dr., Akron, OH 44311 |
| Decision Being Reconsidered | DHO order dated 04/10/2026 awarding 20% PPD |
| Specific Grounds | Clear mistake of fact: percentage miscalculated from the medical record |
| Newly Discovered Evidence | None; argument based on existing claim file |
| Signature and Date | Janet Wells, Authorized Rep, 04/22/2026 |
| Proof of Service | Copy mailed to injured worker and his counsel on 04/22/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Once the IC-88 is complete, signed, and your copy is served on the other side, you file it with the Industrial Commission. The forms page directs you to mail or fax the IC-88 to the IC office where the hearing took place, so use the office address printed on your DHO order.
- By mail. Send the signed form and any attachments to the local IC office that held your hearing, using the address on your order. There is no filing fee for the IC-88. Keep a copy of everything and use certified mail with a return receipt so you have proof of the mailing date, which is your evidence the 14-day deadline was met.
- By fax. Fax the signed form to your local IC office’s fax number, listed on your order or available by calling the IC. Keep the fax confirmation page; it shows the date and time, which protects your deadline. There is no fee to fax.
- In person. You may take the form to your local IC office. Ask the clerk to date-stamp your copy as your proof of filing, and keep that stamped copy.
- Online via ICON. Employers and representatives with an access password can use the Industrial Commission ICON portal to file certain requests online; injured workers without ICON access should use mail or fax. Save any confirmation screen or number the portal gives you.
For any channel, the proof of filing you keep — the certified receipt, fax confirmation, stamped copy, or portal confirmation — is what shows you filed within 14 days, so never throw it away.
What Happens After You File
After the IC receives your IC-88, hearing officers designated by the Commission review the request to decide whether it meets the rules. Under Section D of Resolution R18-1-06, they check that you stated specific grounds and that at least one recognized basis applies, such as new evidence, fraud, a clear mistake of fact or law, or an error by the hearing officer. If your request meets the requirements, it moves forward; if it does not, it can be denied without further review.
If the request is granted, the matter is set for a hearing where both sides can present their positions, and IC hearings are informal and quasi-judicial rather than courtroom-style, as described on the appeals process page. You and the employer will get a mailed notice of the hearing date, which is why a correct address on the form matters so much.
Filing for reconsideration does not pause every obligation in the claim. The resolution makes clear that a self-insuring employer must still meet the timeliness of compensation payments under R.C. 4123.511 unless the order is vacated. After the IC rules, if you still disagree, your next step may be a court appeal, and you generally have a set window after the final administrative decision to act.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has a direct cost, so read them before you file.
- Filing after 14 days. Your reconsideration right is gone, and the order stands.
- Leaving the grounds vague. A “specific grounds” failure under Resolution R18-1-06 can lead straight to denial.
- Skipping proof of service. Not sending a copy to the opposing party can void the request.
- Using the wrong claim number. Your form lands in the wrong file and your deadline can pass.
- Naming the wrong order. The IC may review a ruling you did not mean to challenge.
- Forgetting to sign. An unsigned form cannot be processed, just like the C-86.
- Listing an old address. You miss the mailed hearing notice and lose your chance to be heard.
- Calling old records “new evidence.” Merely corroborative evidence is rejected.
- Confusing the IC-88 with the IC-12. The IC-12 is a notice of appeal, not a PPD reconsideration, so the wrong form gets you nowhere.
- Treating reconsideration as a free do-over. It is limited to five legal grounds, so a generic complaint fails.
- Tossing your proof of filing. Without the receipt or fax confirmation, you cannot prove you met the deadline.
- Ignoring your representative’s contact info. Leaving it off means your attorney misses copies of key notices.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do file within 14 days of receiving the order, because the deadline is strict and unforgiving.
- Do state specific grounds tied to a recognized basis, because vague requests get denied.
- Do send a copy to the opposing party the same day you file, because service is mandatory.
- Do keep proof of filing, because it is your only evidence you met the deadline.
- Do attach truly new evidence, because it can justify a second look.
- Do use the exact claim number and order date, because they route your form correctly.
Don’t:
- Don’t guess at the employer’s address, because a wrong opposing party stalls service.
- Don’t sign in pencil or skip the signature, because the form cannot be processed.
- Don’t reargue the whole hearing, because reconsideration is limited to specific grounds.
- Don’t use the IC-88 for issues other than PPD extent, because another form likely applies.
- Don’t mail to the wrong IC office, because it must go where the hearing took place.
- Don’t assume the IC serves the other side for you, because that duty is yours.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With an Attorney or Representative |
|---|---|
| Pro: No legal fee, since the IC-88 has no filing cost and you save attorney costs | Pro: A rep can frame the “specific grounds” in the language the IC expects |
| Pro: You control your own timeline and can file fast within the 14 days | Pro: A rep knows which evidence counts as truly “newly discovered” |
| Pro: The form is short and built for pro se filers | Pro: A rep handles proof of service so the request is not voided |
| Pro: You learn your own claim deeply | Pro: A rep can spot a clear mistake of law you might miss |
| Pro: No need to share details with a third party | Pro: A rep can carry the case forward if it heads to a hearing or court |
| Con: Easy to write grounds too vaguely and get denied | Con: Attorney fees may apply, often paid from the award |
| Con: You may miss procedural steps like service | Con: You give up some day-to-day control of the filing |
| Con: Medical and legal nuance is hard to argue alone | Con: Finding the right rep takes time you may not have in 14 days |
| Con: A small error can cost the whole request | Con: You must share your full claim file with the rep |
| Con: No one double-checks your deadline | Con: Scheduling with a rep can slow an urgent filing |
Key Agencies, Forms, and Statutes That Interact With the IC-88
Several entities surround this form, and knowing each helps you avoid filing the wrong thing. The Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC) adjudicates the dispute and receives the IC-88. The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) administers the claim and issues many underlying orders, and you can reach its C-86 motion page when you need a general motion instead.
Related forms matter too. The IC-12 Notice of Appeal is for appealing a decision, not for PPD reconsideration, and the C-86 Motion is the catch-all you use when no other form fits. The controlling statutes are R.C. 4123.52 on continuing jurisdiction, R.C. 4123.511 on the claims process, and R.C. 4121.35 on staff hearing officer authority, all tied together by Resolution R18-1-06.
The case law also shapes the form. The Ohio Supreme Court’s decisions in Gatlin v. Yellow Freight and Nicholls v. Industrial Commission, both recapped in Resolution R18-1-06, confirm that the IC can reconsider its orders but only on the five grounds, which is why your grounds statement is the most important part of the form.
IC-88 vs. IC-12: Which One Do You Need?
| IC-88 Application for Reconsideration | IC-12 Notice of Appeal |
|---|---|
| Used to reconsider the extent of PPD set by a District Hearing Officer | Used to appeal a claim decision to the next hearing level |
| Filed under continuing jurisdiction and Resolution R18-1-06 | Filed to move from DHO to SHO, or SHO to the Commission |
| Requires specific grounds like mistake of fact or new evidence | Requires a 14-day filing after the order |
| Mailed or faxed to the IC office that held the hearing | Filed with a local IC office or online via ICON |
| Best when only the PPD percentage is in dispute | Best when you challenge allowance or the broader decision |
FAQs
Do I file the IC-88 with BWC or the Industrial Commission?
No. File it with the Industrial Commission of Ohio, specifically the IC office where your hearing took place, not with BWC, since the IC adjudicates the dispute.
Is there a fee to file the IC-88?
No. The Industrial Commission does not charge a filing fee for the Application for Reconsideration, so you only cover your own mailing or fax costs.
Do I really have only 14 days to file?
Yes. You must file within 14 days from the date you receive the order, and missing this window generally ends your reconsideration right.
Do I put the injured worker’s name in the name box even if the employer files?
Yes. The injured worker’s name always goes in that box because the claim is identified by the worker, even when the employer requests reconsideration.
Do I need to enter the claim number if my name is on the form?
Yes. The claim number is the primary identifier the IC uses, and a blank or wrong number can stall or misroute your request.
Do I write the exact order date in the “decision being reconsidered” field?
Yes. Name the order by its exact date so the IC reviews the right ruling and not an earlier or later one on the same claim.
Do I have to state specific grounds, or can I just say I disagree?
Yes, you must state specific grounds. A vague “I disagree” can lead to denial under Resolution R18-1-06’s requirement for a recitation of specific grounds.
Does old medical evidence count as “newly discovered evidence”?
No. Evidence already in the file or merely corroborative does not qualify; it must be proof that due diligence could not have found before the order.
Do I need to send a copy to the employer or worker on the other side?
Yes. You must serve the opposing party and their representative at the same time you file, or the request can be voided.
Can I file the IC-88 online?
No, not as a worker without portal access. Workers mail or fax it, while employers and reps with ICON access may file certain requests online.
Is the IC-88 the same as the IC-12 Notice of Appeal?
No. The IC-88 reconsiders a PPD percentage, while the IC-12 is a notice of appeal to the next hearing level; they are different forms.
Do I have to sign the form for it to be accepted?
Yes. An unsigned form cannot be processed, so sign by hand on paper filings and date it the day you send it.
Will the Industrial Commission automatically hold a hearing after I file?
No. Hearing officers first review whether your request meets the grounds; only if it qualifies does the matter get set for a hearing.
Can I still appeal to court if my reconsideration is denied?
Yes. If the administrative process ends against you, a court appeal may be available within the time limit set after the final decision.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form C-110 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form C-3 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois IWCC Application for Adjustment of Claim + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Ohio Industrial Commission Notice of Appeal (IC-12) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out North Carolina Industrial Commission Form 33 + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Arizona ICA Request for Hearing (Form 0446) — With Examples + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California WCAB DWC-AD 1 (w/Examples) + FAQs