What Type of Benefits Do You Qualify for After an Injury?
Most people in Ohio think of workers' compensation benefits as a biweekly check from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to cover lost earnings. But cash payments are only one type of benefit available. Workers' compensation benefits may also include direct payments to certified medical providers for medical treatment rendered.
Payment as a Percentage of Your Weekly Wages
Ohio worker's compensation law provides a statutory list of benefits you may or may not qualify for depending upon the extent of your injuries. The definitions for the below benefits are from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation website.
- Temporary total disability (TTD): Temporary total compensation is paid to compensate an injured worker who is totally disabled from working on a temporary basis.
- Permanent total disability (PTD): Permanent total disability refers to an injured worker's inability to perform employment due to injury. PTD benefits compensate an injured worker for impairment of earning capacity. This compensation is payable for life.
- Permanent partial disability (PPD): Amount of these payments will be determined according to a schedule of injuries determined by the BWC. Payments will continue for the duration of the injury period. Other 'unscheduled' injuries may be covered, but payment will be limited to one third of the state's average weekly wage, for a duration of 200 weeks.
- Wage loss (WL): Wage loss compensation may be paid to an injured worker that suffers a reduction in earnings as a direct result of their injury. In order to receive WL benefits, an injured worker must prove that they suffered a decrease in wages, and that the wage loss results from the restrictions caused by their injury.
- Living Maintenance (LM): This compensation is paid to an injured worker while they are actively participating in an approved rehabilitation plan. This compensation will not exceed six months in the aggregate, unless the BWC believes the injured worker will benefit from an extension.
Death Benefits
In most circumstances, workers' compensation benefits cease upon the death of an injured worker. However, if you can demonstrate that the allowed conditions in a claim or the injury itself resulted in death, a spouse and/or dependents may qualify for benefits. Minor children and spouses are automatically considered dependents, and in some situations a sibling or parent may be considered a dependent. Death benefits are paid at the maximum rate based upon the year of the death and are split between a spouse and other dependents at the discretion of the hearing officer.
Medical Benefits
Medical coverage is an important benefit, paid directly to your doctor, as long as your provider has been certified by the BWC for payments and the treatment has been authorized by the MCO or the self insured employer.
Lump Sum Settlements
Cash benefits may also be paid in a lump sum settlement. If you accept a lump sum settlement, however, be aware that you are giving up your right to any further claim for workers' compensation payments, in the event your injuries result in unforeseen medical problems in the future.
OhioBWCAttorneys.com is a group of independent workers' compensation law firms serving injured workers throughout the state. When you call our toll-free number at
