Ohio Temporary Total Disability

What is Temporary Total Disability?

Temporary total disability is the benefit paid to an injured worker to replace lost income due to a work injury. You are entitled to receive temporary total disability, or TTD, if you are unable to return to your former position of employment due to the injury. You may also be entitled to TTD if you are released to return to work with restrictions and your employer cannot accommodate the restrictions.

Medical expenses related to a work injury are payable regardless of how much time is missed from work. Payment of TTD depends on how much time you missed from work.

• If you miss 7 days or less, no TTD is payable.
• If you miss 8-14 days, you receive TTD beginning on the 8th day.
• If you miss 14 or more days from work, you are also entitled to TTD for days 1-7. 

How Is Temporary Total Compensation Paid in Ohio?

To request payment of TTD, the injured worker’s doctor must complete the Physician’s Report of Work Ability (MEDCO-14) form. The injured worker is required to complete a C84. Both forms must be submitted to the Ohio BWC. 

For the first 12 weeks following the injury, TTD is paid based on the injured employee’s full weekly wage. The full weekly wage rate is based on the worker’s earnings for the six weeks and/or seven days prior to the injury. TTD is paid at 72 percent of the full weekly wage. 

If the worker is still unable to work after 12 weeks following the date of the injury, TTD is based on the average weekly wage rate. The average weekly wage is calculated as an average of the injured worker’s wages during the one year prior to the date of injury. The TTD rate is 66 ⅔ percent of the average weekly wage. Payment of TTD may not exceed the state maximum rate. 

How Long Does Temporary Total Disability Last?

An injured worker is entitled to receive temporary total disability until one of the following occurs:

• The injured worker returns to work.
• They are released by their treating doctor to return to the job they were performing at the time of the injury.
• The employer makes a light-duty job offer within your restrictions.
• You have reached maximum medical improvement.
• You return to work for another employer either full or part-time.

Salary Continuation in Ohio

Salary continuation is a voluntary program that allows an injured worker to continue receiving their full salary and benefits from his or her employer in lieu of temporary total compensation. The worker has the option to accept or reject their employers’ offer to receive salary continuation unless a collective bargaining contract indicates otherwise.

To initiate salary continuation, you and your employer must sign a Salary Continuation Agreement (C-55) and submit it to the Ohio BWC. Either you or your employer can terminate salary continuation at any time. If salary continuation is terminated, the BWC will pay TTD if you are still unable to work due to the injury.

Salary continuation benefits you (the injured worker) because it is generally paid in a more timely manner than temporary total compensation and avoids disruption in pay following an injury. This allows you to focus entirely on your recovery without having to worry about a loss of wages. It can also benefit your employer by potentially reducing claim costs and future premium increases.

To find out if salary continuation in lieu of TTD is a good option for you, be sure to consult with an experienced workers’ comp attorney.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for Temporary Total Compensation?

Many potential issues can arise when an injured worker seeks temporary total disability. For example, an employer may contest the claim or send the injured worker to a doctor for an exam. That is why it is advisable for those seeking temporary total disability or any other types of benefits to have a qualified Ohio workers’ compensation attorney on their side. Having a skilled workers’ comp attorney like Mark Newman working for you can ensure your rights are protected so that you can obtain the full benefits you are entitled to. 

Contact Ohio Attorney Mark L. Newman Today

If your doctor determines that you are unable to return to your regular job because of a work-related injury, you’re entitled to temporary total disability compensation to help replace your lost wages. The sooner you get Cincinnati workers’ comp attorney Mark L. Newman on your side, the sooner you can focus on your recovery, knowing he will help you get the benefits you deserve. To find out if you qualify for TTD, contact Mark L. Newman today for a free consultation. You can reach Mark at (513) 533-2009 or fill out an online intake form via his website.