After a workplace injury in Ohio, you deserve a Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist to ensure you get the benefits you need to recover. Adrienne M. Hines and Victor Kademenos of Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA can help you apply for temporary total compensation to pay for your living expenses until you are able to get back on your feet.
Contact us today at (419) 625-7770 to schedule a free case consultation with an Ohio workers’ compensation lawyer from our firm.
How Does Temporary Total Compensation Work?
Temporary total compensation (TT) is an Ohio workers’ compensation benefit available for workers who cannot work for more than seven days because of an injury on the job. Workers’ compensation is insurance your employer purchases to pay for your medical bills and lost wages when something goes wrong in the workplace.
According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), you may qualify for TT benefits if you:
- Are not allowed to perform your job duties due to a workplace injury. This diagnosis must be made by a licensed physician and proved through medical evidence.
- Are allowed to perform modified job duties at your work, but your employer does not have any modified responsibilities for you to complete.
You, your employer, or your doctor must file your workers’ comp claim with your employer’s managed care organization.
It takes the BWC 28 days at most to make a decision whether to approve or deny your claim. If approved, you will receive temporary total compensation for:
- 72 percent of your full weekly wage for the first 12 weeks, averaged over the previous six weeks or seven days prior to your injury.
- 66 2/3 percent of your average weekly wage after 12 weeks, averaged over the 52 weeks prior to the injury.
- The maximum benefit for 2019 is $950 per week if you do not receive Social Security, and $633.33 if you do.
- The minimum benefit for 2019 is $316.67 per week. These rates are updated every year.
TT benefits will continue until you reach maximum medical improvement, are able to return to work, can resume your former position, start work at another job, are incarcerated, or quit your employment.
What Counts as a Workplace Injury?
Any accident at work, such as a slip-and-fall on a staircase or getting struck on the head by loose equipment, can easily cause traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, burns, electrocution, or damage to the eyes. If it happened while you were performing your job duties, it is likely considered a workplace injury.
Occupational illnesses, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, are still a risk for workers in the construction, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. Even office workers face chronic conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Long-term exposure to loud noises can cause hearing loss, and repetitive motions can cause overuse injuries, such as stress fractures, herniated discs, strains, sprains, and more.
If you are unsure if your illness or condition qualifies as a workplace injury, contact our Ohio workers’ comp lawyers right away.
Do You Have Questions About Temporary Total Compensation? Contact Us Today
Attorney Adrienne M. Hines has years of experience in Ohio’s workers’ comp system. Attorney Victor Kademenos is a former chairman of the Ohio State Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Committee, and he has served on the Special Legislative Committee for Workers’ Compensation in Ohio.
When we take your case, you can rest assured we will do everything in our power to get you the compensation you need. Call (419) 625-7770, or reach out online to schedule your free consultation today.