Understanding Ohio BWC Claims
When an employee is injured during their employment, and their workers' compensation claim (BWC claim) is allowed, there are several ways they may receive payment or compensation. The following are some of the most common methods.
Temporary Total Disability (TT)
The most frequent way injured workers receive payment is through temporary total disability compensation, or "TT." Currently, an employee who contracts an occupational disease or injures a body part like the neck, back, shoulder, or ankle is eligible for TTD if they miss more than seven days of work due to an allowed condition in their claim.
Maintaining TT Eligibility
The injured worker, through their physician of record, must continuously provide medical documentation to the BWC or self-insured employer. This documentation certifies their temporary disability to ensure continued receipt of TT. (See C-84 form).
If the worker is off work for more than ninety days, a medical exam may be scheduled. Continued payment may depend on the outcome of this examination.
Calculating TT Payments
The first twelve weeks of TT are paid at a rate of 72% of one's "Full Weekly Wage," as defined by Ohio Revised Code 4123, and are subject to a statewide maximum.
Thereafter, TT is paid at a rate of 66 and 2/3 percent of one's "Average Weekly Wage," also subject to a statewide maximum.
Wage Loss Compensation
Employees may also receive "wage loss" benefits after being injured on the job. This type of compensation is provided when an injured worker experiences a reduction in earnings due to restrictions from allowed conditions in a claim.
Types of Wage Loss Benefits
There are two general types of wage loss benefits in Ohio workers' compensation claims:
- Working Wage Loss
- Non-Working Wage Loss
Living Maintenance Payments
Living maintenance compensation is paid when an Ohio injured worker participates in a vocational rehabilitation ("voc rehab") program.
An experienced workers' compensation attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve. McKenzie & Snyder LLP represents injured workers in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas. Feel free to contact us to discuss in more detail the various compensation types you may be eligible for in your workers' compensation claim.
Written by Andrew Tobergte
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