Compensation Types

• In addition to medical treatment, injured employees in Ohio can receive temporary total compensation benefits, permanent partial compensation and permanent total compensation. Dependents of workers killed from work-related injuries may apply for death benefits. Injured workers cannot receive permanent total disability benefits while they are working, but may receive benefits under the statutory permanent total disability compensation system. This system allows some workers with permanent loss of mobility or an amputation to receive permanent compensation while they are working.
  
  

Temporary Total Compensation Process

• Injured workers can begin receiving temporary total compensation eight days after their accident. After the eight-day waiting period, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation sends them biweekly benefits. When workers miss more than 14 days of work, the Bureau compensates them for the first eight days of lost wages. Benefits terminate once they're able to return to work. The temporary compensation amount depends on the treating physician's injury report and the weekly wages before the injury. The first 12 weeks of temporary total compensation is paid at 75 percent of the injured worker's weekly wages as limited by the statewide weekly average. After 12 weeks, injured employees receive compensation at 66.7 percent of their weekly wages.
  
  

Living Maintenance Benefits Procedure

• As opposed to temporary total disability compensation, Ohio pays injured employees a living maintenance wage loss benefit if they are able to participate in a rehabilitation program with a goal toward going back to work. They can receive maintenance compensation if they are unable to perform the same type of work or will earn less than they did before their injuries. Benefit amounts depend on the physician's documentation or report of the severity of the employees' injuries and work restrictions.
  
  

Permanent Partial Disability Benefits Process

• For injuries after June 30, 2006, injured workers can apply for permanent partial disability benefits 26 weeks after receiving their last temporary total compensation benefits checks or 26 weeks after the injury if they did not receive temporary compensation. The amount they receive for permanent partial disabilities depends on an independent medical examination. For instance, the Bureau gives workers who have suffered facial disfigurements one-time $10,000 payouts if the disfigurements impair the employees' opportunities to find employment.
  
  

Considerations

• Since employment laws can frequently change, do not use this information as a substitute for legal advice. Seek advice through an attorney licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction.