What is workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation benefits
Workers’ compensation claims process
Do I need an attorney? Common situations
How is a WC settlement determined?
Other topics
Permanent Partial Impairment Benefits
There are additional monetary awards an injured worker can become eligible for once the individual returns to work following the injury. The most common award is the permanent partial disability (PPD) award, which is intended to provide a monetary benefit in an amount that equates to the permanent residual impairments the injured worker has from the allowed conditions in their claim following treatment and recovery.
The PPD award is calculated based upon a formula contained with the Ohio workers' compensation statutes, and it converts the percentage rating provided by the doctor's examination into a weekly payment for a set number of weeks. The number of weeks for which the award is paid is equal to two times the percentage awarded. In addition, the BWC sets forth a maximum PPD rate for each year and the maximum rate is often lower than the injured worker's average weekly wage for the year prior to the injury.
The permanent partial impairment rating is expressed in terms of a percentage of bodily impairment, and can be based upon numerous different impairments such as loss of range of motion, loss of strength, loss of sensation and chronic pain levels resulting from the allowed conditions.
Usually, a BWC physician will perform the independent medical examination and provide an initial permanent partial impairment rating that is very conservative. As a result, our office often selects our own independent doctor to perform a medical exam and provide an opinion as to permanent partial impairments. Once the BWC issues an order (based upon the BWC physician's report), it is appealed and a hearing is held to argue the appropriate permanent partial impairment rating, which is most often a compromise of the two medical reports. The award is paid in a lump sum. It can be increased over time, if the impairments worsen. The case for this type of increase most often occurs when the injured worker continues to treat for the allowed conditions in the claim, or if additional conditions have been granted since the prior permanent partial award. Most often, additional surgeries or outpatient procedures will give rise to an increase in an injured worker's permanent partial impairment rating. Similarly, degenerative conditions tend to worsen over time and, by nature, the resulting impairments increase.
Wage Loss Benefits
Under Ohio's workers' compensation statutes, if an injured worker who returns to work under light duty work restrictions and, as a result of those restrictions, experiences a wage loss, then the worker may be eligible for wage loss benefits. These benefits follow a complex series of rules under Ohio's code sections governing the workers' compensation system and, therefore, our office recommends contacting us directly to discuss this potential benefit.
Contact Us
Our office is well versed in these hearings and the factors that support a higher permanent partial impairment rating for injured workers. If you feel you are entitled to a permanent partial impairment award, or an increase in your existing award, please contact Lelli Law Office to discuss.
