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 rates of payment 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 you 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 2022:
- Temporary Total (TT). If you cannot work your job while recovering from your injury, the maximum weekly wage you can receive is $1,085 if you are not collecting Social Security retirement benefits and $723.33 if you are collecting Social Security. The minimum you will receive is $361.67 unless you made less than this amount in which 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 be paid 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage. Benefits will continue until you may return to your former position of employment.
- 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 $542.50.
- Permanent Total (PT). If you are permanently disabled and will never return to work, your payments will also max out at $1,085 per week without Social Security Disability and $723.33 with Social Security Disability. However, the minimum weekly payment is $542.50, 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 2022 of $1,085 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. The intent of this benefit is 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 $542.50 to $1,085 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 $1,085 in 2022.
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 amount be accurately determined to include all sources of income and exclude all periods of unemployment beyond your control. Also, special consideration may be made for those entering the workforce and 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 30 years and have worked with many of his clients for a decade or more. If you have questions about the benefits to which you are entitled after a workplace injury or illness, contact our office today. We are happy to answer your questions.
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