Getting Paid After an Ohio Work Injury

Understanding Ohio Work Injury Compensation

After a workplace accident, many Ohioans face the prospect of being cut off from both work and pay. Sometimes this situation only lasts a few days, but some individuals find themselves unable to work for much longer periods.

The Ohio workers’ compensation system provides various types of benefits to compensate injured workers under such circumstances. The following compensation types are some of the most commonly encountered.

Such benefits are generally applicable regardless of the type of injury claim involved (e.g., elbow, knee, fingers, hand, wrist, neck, back, shoulder, foot) and are not tied to any particular type of treatment (e.g., surgery, medication, physical therapy, chiropractics, etc.).

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

Temporary Total Disability Compensation (or “TT”) is the most common form of compensation. It is generally paid out following an allowed injury claim where the worker cannot return to his or her “former position of employment” and is intended to replace lost wages.

Workers become eligible after missing seven days of work. Their physician must also certify them as temporarily disabled.

Wage Loss Compensation Explained

“Wage loss” compensation is payable if an injured worker suffers a loss in earnings attributable to allowed conditions in a BWC claim. There are three different types of wage loss compensation in Ohio:

• Working Wage Loss
• Non-Working Wage Loss
• Living Maintenance

Working Wage Loss Benefits

Working Wage Loss is exactly as it sounds. It pays injured workers who continue to work but suffer a loss in earnings because of their injury.

This can occur where someone suffers a demotion or has to take on a new job that pays less than the former position.

Non-Working Wage Loss Benefits

Non-Working Wage Loss is also exactly as it sounds. It pays injured workers who cannot find employment within the restrictions imposed upon them by the work injury.

This requires ongoing proof of searching for suitable work, which can prove frustrating.

Living Maintenance Wage Loss

Living Maintenance Wage Loss Compensation is paid to injured workers who complete a rehabilitation program, return to work, and suffer a loss in earnings.

Notably, while injured workers are actively participating in a vocational rehabilitation program, they are eligible for living maintenance payments in place of temporary total disability compensation.