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Full Weekly Wage vs. Average Weekly Wage in Ohio
When someone sustains a workplace injury in Ohio, they are able to recover workers’ compensation benefits to help cover the costs of their injuries and lost wages. An important part of calculating the total amount a person is able to recover is determining their average weekly wage and full weekly wage.
It is important that the average weekly wage and full weekly wage are properly calculated in your claim to be certain you are paid the correct amount of workers’ compensation benefits. These are crucial figures in the workers’ compensation system in Ohio, and it is imperative that you have someone on your side who possesses a strong understanding of such numbers.
Fortunately, Cincinnati workers’ comp attorney Mark L. Newman has more than 30 years of experience in the Ohio workers’ compensation practice area. He understands how to calculate the average weekly wage and full weekly wage to make sure you receive the maximum amount of compensation. To schedule a consultation, call (513) 533-2009 today or fill out the online intake form on our website.
How Much Does Workers’ Comp Pay in Ohio?
There are several factors that determine the amount paid for workers’ compensation in Ohio, including the nature of the job and specific circumstances surrounding the injury or illness.
Generally, workers’ comp provides a certain amount of money to cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, typically around 72% of an injured worker’s full weekly wage (FWW) for the first 12 weeks and then two-thirds of their average weekly wage (AWW). In 2023, the maximum amount per week is set at $1,149 and the minimum amount is set at $383.
This payment rate, however, can vary depending on the severity of the injury and other individual factors. It’s important to note that each case is unique, and the exact compensation amount will depend on the specific details of the job and injury.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Ohio
In Ohio, workers’ compensation benefits are designed to support employees who have been injured on the job. There are several types of benefits that may be available depending on the extent of the injury, including temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, permanent total disability, scheduled loss compensation, and more. This compensation is typically calculated based on the employee’s average weekly wage, ensuring that the benefits are aligned with their regular earnings.
For example, when determining workers’ comp benefits, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation looks at the average weekly wage, which is a reflection of what the employee typically earns each week. This calculation is important because it directly influences the amount of compensation the injured employee will receive. If eligible for full benefits, the injured worker can receive payments up to a certain percentage of this average weekly wage, providing substantial financial support during their recovery period.
The concept of full weekly wage also plays a role in these calculations. Immediately after the injury, the employee may be eligible to receive compensation based on their full weekly wage, which could be higher than the average weekly wage calculation, especially if their income varies week to week. This approach ensures that employees are not unduly penalized for fluctuations in their earnings.
Both the employer and the state workers’ compensation system play a role in determining these benefits, with the goal of providing fair and adequate support to workers during their recovery from workplace injuries.
What is Average Weekly Wage?
The average weekly wage is a benchmark used to pay all workers’ compensation benefits in Ohio. It is calculated based on your total gross earnings during the 52 weeks prior to your work-related injury. If you didn’t work every week during the year prior to the injury for reasons beyond your control, such as a layoff or sickness, these weeks may be eliminated from the average weekly wage calculation.
Attorney Mark Newman is very familiar with the laws surrounding Ohio workers’ comp and will make sure your average weekly wages are calculated correctly so you receive the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to.
How To Calculate Average Weekly Wage
Calculating the average weekly wage in Ohio for workers’ compensation purposes involves a relatively straightforward process. To begin, one must consider the total number of weeks worked by the employee during a specified period, typically a year (or 52 weeks).
The next step in calculating this wage is to simply add up all the earnings received in that period. This total includes not just the take home pay but rather a person’s gross salary and any overtime, bonuses, or other forms of compensation the employee may have received.
Once the total earnings are calculated, the next step is to divide this amount by the total number of weeks worked. This division provides the average amount that the employee earned per week over the considered period. It’s important to ensure accuracy in this calculation, as it directly impacts the benefits an injured employee may receive under Ohio’s workers’ compensation system.
What is Full Weekly Wage?
On the other hand, full weekly wage determines the amount of temporary total compensation in Ohio paid to an injured worker during the first twelve weeks they are off work due to an injury. This calculation is essential for determining the initial compensation rate for an injured worker.
Full weekly wage is used to calculate the initial benefits that an injured worker receives, ensuring that the compensation accurately reflects their earnings at the time of the injury. After a certain period, the compensation may then transition to being based on the average weekly wage, which is a separate calculation.
How To Calculate Full Weekly Wage
In Ohio, calculating full weekly wage (FWW) involves a detailed examination of the employee’s earnings leading up to the date of the injury. The FWW calculation is based on two potential methods, and the method that yields the higher amount is used.
The first method considers the average total of the wages earned over the six weeks of employment immediately preceding the injury. This involves adding up all the gross wages during this six-week period before the occurence of the injury divided by six.
The second method calculates the FWW based on the employee’s gross wages earned in the seven days prior to the date of the injury, excluding overtime. After calculating the FWW using both methods, the higher of the two figures is set as the employee’s full weekly wage for the purpose of determining workers’ compensation benefits. This works to ensure that the employee’s compensation reflects their most recent and relevant earnings, providing a fair and accurate basis for benefits calculation following a workplace injury.
Contact an Ohio Workers’ Compensation Attorney To Learn More
If you were injured at work, having a skilled attorney on your side can help you better understand the workers’ compensation process, including how to calculate the average weekly wage and full weekly wage.
Mark L. Newman, a skilled Cincinnati workers’ compensation lawyer, has the experience you need to preserve your rights as a worker and get the full range of benefits and compensation you are entitled to. He has helped clients obtain the maximum amount of benefits for over 3 decades now and is ready to help you, too.
To learn more about full weekly wage vs. average weekly wage or any other workers’ compensation-related legal matter, give us a call at (513) 533-2009 or fill out our online intake form today to arrange a consultation today.
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- Cincinnati Workers’ Comp Lawyer
- What to Do When You Are Injured at Work in Ohio
- Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Process
- Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Full Weekly Wage vs. Average Weekly Wage
- Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
- Types Of Work Injuries
- High-Risk Occupations for Workers’ Comp Injuries
- Work-Related Wrongful Death
- Cincinnati Workers’ Comp Lawyer
- What to Do When You Are Injured at Work in Ohio
- Understanding the Workers’ Compensation Process
- Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Full Weekly Wage vs. Average Weekly Wage
- Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits
- Types Of Work Injuries
- High-Risk Occupations for Workers’ Comp Injuries
- Work-Related Wrongful Death
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