We recently provided a comprehensive overview of the various levels of benefits available in the Ohio workers’ compensation system. These include Temporary Total Disability, Permanent Total Disability, Permanent Partial Disability, Wage Loss, and Scheduled Loss Benefits, among others. While this is useful information, you probably want to know exactly how much money you will get while you are on workers’ comp. Unfortunately, the frustrating answer is—it depends! When you talk to a member of our team about your specific case, we can help you understand what your payments will be. Your payment rates will also affect the settlement value of your claim should you go that route at some point.
Check Out the Latest Compensation Rate Chart in Ohio
All the answers you need can be found on the BWC’s website in a handy PDF chart. However, the chart can be confusing when you don’t know what type of benefit you will get and don’t understand what all the columns mean. Luckily, we’re here to help. The dollar amounts in the chart refer to the minimum and maximum amounts of weekly payments you will receive based on your income. Here is a breakdown for 2024:
- Temporary Total (TT). If you cannot work your job while recovering from your injury, the maximum weekly wage you can receive is $1,195 if you are not collecting Social Security retirement benefits and $796.67 if you are collecting Social Security. The minimum you will receive is $398.33 unless you made less than this amount, in which case you would receive 2/3 of what you made. The exact amount will be based on your wages at the time of your injury. For the first 12 weeks, you will receive 72% of your full weekly wage. After that, you will receive 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage. Benefits will continue until you return to work or have reached maximum improvement.
- Living Maintenance (LM). If you have participated in an approved rehabilitation plan, the maximum payments are the same as they are for TT benefits, but the minimum increases to $597.50. Like TT, LM is decreased if you are receiving Social Security Retirement but not if you receive Social Security Disability.
- Permanent Total (PT). If you are permanently disabled and will never return to work, your payments will also max out at $1,195 per week without Social Security Disability and $796.67 with Social Security Disability. However, the minimum weekly payment is $597.50 unless your actual weekly wage is lower than this, in which case you are paid at your full average weekly wage.
- Wage Loss (WL). If you can return to work after your injury, but in a different capacity and at a lower wage, you can collect wage loss benefits. This compensation is payable if you find lower-paying work or even if you cannot find work but are actively looking for it. Wage loss is paid at two-thirds of the difference between your previous wage and your current earnings, with a maximum in 2024 of $1,195 per week.
- Permanent Partial (%PP). If your work injury left you permanently but not totally disabled, you can be awarded PP benefits up to a maximum of $361.67 per week. This benefit is intended to make up for your loss of earning capacity. It’s akin to damages or “pain and suffering” in a personal injury case—but typically not as much money.
- Survivor Benefits. If you are the dependent of someone who was killed on the job, you could be awarded survivor benefits ranging from $597.50 to $1,195 per week, depending on the workers’ wages at the time of the fatal accident.
- Scheduled Loss (SL). Part B of the BWC’s Compensation Rate chart lists the number of weeks you can collect benefits and the maximum lifetime benefits for loss of, or loss of use of, a body part or hearing loss. The maximum weekly rate of SL payments is also $1,195 in 2024.
Because these weekly benefits are based on your average weekly wage at the time of your workplace accident or occupational illness, it’s important that the amount be accurately determined to include all sources of income and exclude all periods of unemployment beyond your control. Special consideration may also be made for those entering the workforce and for other reasons. Also, note that these amounts are weekly rates but that your workers’ comp check or direct deposit will arrive every two weeks.
Contact Monast Law Office in Ohio With Your Questions
This stuff can be monumentally confusing. Ohio Workers Compensation attorney Jim Monast has been helping workers in Ohio get the benefits they deserve for over 35 years and has worked with many of his clients for a decade or more. If you have questions about the benefits you are entitled to after a workplace injury or illness, contact our office today. We are happy to answer your questions.
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