Timothy L. Zix

Tim serves as chair of Taft’s Worker’s Compensation practice group. He focuses his practice on workers’ compensation, intentional tort, unemployment, employment discrimination, and general litigation law. In addition to representing state-funded and self-insured employers administratively, Tim also has successfully represented employers in state trial and appellate courts, as well as the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, in matters including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, and general business issues.

Tim provides legal counsel to clients spanning multiple industries, including retail, waste management, manufacturing, automotive, services, nursing homes, transportation, hospitality, insurance, and construction. He earned a degree in business administration from the University of Dayton and received his law degree from Cleveland State University College of Law.

Tim has been honored by Best Lawyers in America for Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers each year since 2013. He is recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer (2012 – 2022) for Workers’ Compensation Law. Tim was awarded an “AV Peer Review Rating” (Preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell for meeting very high criteria of general ethical standards. In addition, Tim was recognized in The National Registry of Who’s Who and was named a Leading Lawyer by Inside Business Magazine.

Beatty v. Conn-Selmer, Inc., et al. (Lake Cty.)
Claim allowed for left lateral epicondylitis.  Employee moved to additionally allow his claim for left shoulder bursitis as a flow-thru condition.  Trial held 11/15/22.  Unanimous jury verdict in favor of Conn-Selmer denying right to participate for the additional shoulder condition.

State of Ohio ex rel. U.S. Corrugated, Inc. v. Administrator, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (10^th Dist. Court of Appeals)
U.S. Corrugated acquired T.H.E.M. of Ohio, Inc., with approval of the bankruptcy court, after foreclosing on post-petition financing.  Subsequently, the BWC found U.S. Corrugated was the successor in interest to T.H.E.M., and transferred T.H.E.M.’s risk, including debts and VSSR fines, to U.S. Corrugated.  U.S. Corrugated sought a Writ in Mandamus to vacate the BWC’s risk transfer.  The Franklin County Court of Appeals granted the writ, and ordered the BWC to vacate the risk transfer on the basis that the transfer of T.H.E.M.’s assets to U.S. Corrugated was involuntary.

O’Connor v. Conn-Selmer, Inc., et al. (Lake Cty.)
Employee struck by overhead crane that fell approximately 12 feet. Claim certified for minor injuries. Trial held 7/23/18 on consolidated cross appeals on additional allowances of left AC joint impingement, supraspinatus tendonitis, bicep tenosynovitis, SLAP 1 tear, herniated discs C5-6 and C6-7 with foraminal stenosis. Verdict in favor of employer Conn-Selmer denying right to participate for all additional conditions.

Ferrari v. Conn-Selmer. Inc. et al. (Lake Cty.)
Employee alleged additional conditions of rotator cuff tear and impingement syndrome. Trial held 3/21/17. Verdict in favor of employer Conn-Selmer denying right to participate for both additional conditions.

Spencer v. Sodexo, et al. (Cuyahoga Cty.)
Employee tripped and fell after clocking in. Claim certified for minor injuries, and employee moved to additionally allow the claim for meniscal tear and substantial aggravation of pre-existing knee arthritis. Trial held 2/6/17. Verdict for employer denying the right to participate for both additional conditions.

Speeches

• Client Webinar, “Investigating and Reporting Workplace Injuries,” April 15, 2021.
• Risk Institute Webinar, “Impacts of COVID-19 on Workers’ Compensation,” April 22, 2020.

Publications

• Co-Author, “Working Remotely: Compensability Issues Under Workers’ Compensation Laws for Workers Injured at Home,” April 13, 2020.
• Co-Author, “Ohio House of Representatives Has Introduced Legislation to Include COVID-19 in the List of Scheduled Occupational Diseases, April 9, 2020.
• Co-Author, “Disability Benefits Eligibility for Injured Workers in Light of COVID-19,” March 26, 2020.
• Co-Author, “COVID-19 and Workers’ Compensation: Questions of Causation and Compensability,” March 12, 2020.