When you’re injured on the job, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will provide certain benefits to offset medical bills and wage loss.
The majority of Ohio employees recover from on-the-job injuries and return to work within days. However, some injuries are so severe that they cause or require amputation. The BWC has special benefits available for these situations. If you’ve experienced amputation as a result of an occupational injury, The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you file a workers’ compensation claim for scheduled loss benefits or permanent total disability benefits.
Scheduled loss benefits
When an employee loses the use of a limb (whether through amputation or another cause) on the job, they are eligible for scheduled loss benefits. Although the worker may be able to return to work in some capacity, they may not be able to return to their original job, industry or income level.
The BWC typically approves scheduled loss benefits for amputations of eyes, hands, arms, fingers, legs, feet and toes. (They also cover hearing and vision loss, as well as ankylosis of the hands.)
What kind of compensation is available?
Before a scheduled loss claim is approved, the worker must undergo an independent medical exam. The healthcare provider assigns a percentage to their injury. An amputation could be considered a 100 percent loss, depending on which body part is at issue.
The percentage limits the worker’s maximum compensable time. For instance, if the injury was considered a 75 percent loss, the worker is eligible to receive scheduled loss benefits for 75 percent of the maximum allowable time for that injury.
When the claim is approved, the employee receives 100 percent of the statewide average weekly wage (SAWW) for the approved period of time.
What if I can’t return to work?
Some amputations are so severe that the worker is permanently unable to return to employment. For example, the BWC automatically approves permanent total disability benefits for the loss of both hands, arms, feet, legs and eyes.
Permanent total disability benefits pay 66.6 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage as long as the injury persists.
If you’ve suffered amputation during, or as a result of an on-the-job injury, the Law Offices of Tim Misny can help. We’ll review your claim and help you understand your rights. Whether you are eligible for scheduled loss or permanent total disability benefits, we’ll make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Get help from an Ohio workers’ compensation attorney
When you’re injured on the job, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call me at (800) 556-4769 to discuss your workers’ compensation amputation claim. We’ll make the workers’ compensation process as easy as possible, so you can start receiving benefits as soon as your claim is approved.
