Wage loss compensation is payable when, as a result of the allowed medical conditions in a claim, an employee is either unable to find work within his physical capacities or has returned to a less strenuous or alternative job which pays less then the job which resulted in the industrial injury. The restrictions must be certified by the claimant's treating doctor.

There are two (2) types of wage loss that are available to injured workers when they are unable to return to their former positions of employment and their doctor has returned them to work with restrictions.

The first type of wage loss is the Non-working wage loss. In this situation, the worker looks for work but is unable to secure employment. The worker is able to submit job search forms to the BWC for compensation. There are specific requirements that must be met to obtain this compensation benefit.

The second type of wage loss is the working wage loss. In this situation, the injured worker secures employment, within the job restrictions placed by the doctor but suffers a wage loss. The worker can submit the paystubs from the lower paying job to seek compensation from the BWC in the amount of 66.667% (2/3) of the difference of pay. There are specific requirements that must be met to obtain this compensation benefit.

Workers' compensation wage loss is payable for a maximum period of 200 weeks.

In the event that an injured worker first receives wage loss through the OhioBWC Rehabilitation Division, which is available for 200 weeks, then, at the end of that 200 week period, an injured worker may be eligible to receive an additional 200 weeks of wage loss through regular OhioBWC compensation.

 

This Article by M Gruhin