When you’re hurt on the job in Ohio, workers’ compensation benefits protect your income and access to medical care while you recover. Unless your employer is self-insured, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) administers these wage and medical benefits, with your weekly rate based on factors like the type of injury and employment status at the time of injury.
The BWC uses a chart to determine your compensation for injuries that happen during the course of employment. In this article, we’ll explain the structure of the BWC compensation chart, how it affects your workplace injury claim, and why having experienced legal representation is so important for maximizing your benefits.
What is the BWC Compensation Chart?
The BWC compensation chart is a schedule used to determine benefit amounts and timelines for injured workers in Ohio. It reflects the statutory guidelines found in Ohio Revised Code sections that regulate workers’ compensation coverage. This rate chart helps adjusters, employers, and attorneys calculate how much compensation a worker may receive based on:
- Type of workplace injury
- Degree of impairment or disability
- Average weekly wage (AWW) and full weekly wage (FWW)
- Duration of medical treatment and recovery
- Type of benefit being requested (temporary total, permanent partial, etc.)
The chart is updated annually by the BWC and applies to claims filed under Ohio’s state fund. Calculations may vary, but the general structure is similar.
How Average Weekly Wage (AWW) and Full Weekly Wage (FWW) Affect Workers’ Comp Payments
Understanding how your wages are calculated is key to understanding your workers’ comp benefits. The BWC uses two wage measurements:
- Full Weekly Wage (FWW): The higher of your gross earnings from the six weeks prior to the date of injury, or the average earnings for the seven days prior to the date of injury
- Average Weekly Wage (AWW): A broader average, calculated based on all wages earned during the 52 weeks before the date of injury
The first 12 weeks of Temporary Total Disability (TTD) use the FWW, while ongoing benefits shift to AWW. You may request a wage recalculation if you believe your AWW or FWW was calculated incorrectly.
Key Types of Compensation Reflected in the Chart
Ohio’s workers’ compensation system offers several types of benefits. The BWC compensation chart outlines how each benefit is calculated, how long it’s paid, and what the maximum and minimum weekly rates are. Understanding these categories helps ensure you’re not underpaid or missing out on compensation you’re legally entitled to.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
TTD is paid when you’re temporarily unable to work due to a job-related injury. This is often the first benefit an injured worker receives. In addition to paying your medical expenses, TTD compensates you for loss of income during your initial recovery. Here’s how it is calculated:
- First 12 Weeks: 72% of your full weekly wage (FWW)
- After 12 Weeks: 66.67% of your average weekly wage (AWW)
For 2025, the maximum weekly compensation rates are:
- $1,231 per week if you’re not receiving Social Security retirement
- $820.67 per week if you are receiving Social Security retirement
The minimum weekly compensation rate is $410.33. However, this minimum only applies if your calculated benefit would otherwise be higher than what you were actually earning. If your full weekly wage (for the first 12 weeks) or average weekly wage is less than $410.33, you’ll receive your actual wage amount, not the minimum.
These temporary benefits continue until you return to work or a physician declares you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). If your employer disputes the claim or argues that you can return to work, the Industrial Commission will make a final determination.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
When you have permanent injuries but are still able to work, you may qualify for permanent partial disability benefits. This benefit is based on a medical determination of whole person impairment, expressed as a percentage. For example, a 10% impairment results in compensation tied to the statutory value of that percentage.
Permanent partial awards are generally paid as a lump sum settlement or in biweekly installments. In 2025, the maximum weekly rate is $410.33. The exact amount you receive depends on the approved impairment rating and the schedule set by Ohio law.
When an injured worker is granted an award permanent partial disability, the percentage and rate are utilized to calculate the value of the award. Using the example of a 10% award being granted, an injured worker’s benefit would be calculated by taking the percentage awarded and multiplying it by two to get the number of weeks payable. That number of weeks is then multiplied by the rate for the permanent partial award. If someone is entitled to the maximum rate in 2025, the 10% award would be equal to 20 weeks at $410.33, or a total of $8,206.60.
Scheduled Loss (Loss of Use or Amputation)
Some injuries result in the complete loss or functional loss of a body part. These scheduled losses (SLs) are paid for a specific number of weeks, regardless of your ability to return to work. Common scheduled losses include:
- Loss of an arm: 225 weeks
- Loss of a leg: 200 weeks
- Loss of a hand: 175 weeks
- Loss of a foot: 150 weeks
- Loss of an eye or total hearing loss: 125 weeks
Each week is paid at a compensation rate determined by the BWC. In 2025, the SL weekly benefit rate is $1,231. So, for example, a hand amputation would result in 175 weeks × $1,231/week in compensation. This benefit is separate from PPD and does not require proof of lost wages, as it’s based solely on the type and severity of the physical loss.
Wage Loss Compensation
Wage loss is available when you return to work but can’t earn your previous wage due to physical restrictions from your injury. There are two forms of wage loss:
- Working Wage Loss: You’re working a modified or lower-paying job.
- Non-Working Wage Loss: You’re looking for work within your restrictions but haven’t found suitable employment. This benefit covers periods of unemployment.
You may be entitled to 66.67% of the difference between your pre-injury earnings and current wages, up to the weekly maximum, which is $1,231. You must provide written proof of job searches or earnings to maintain eligibility.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
PTD is awarded when your injury is so severe that it permanently prevents you from engaging in any type of sustained remunerative employment. This is a lifetime benefit, which is why it’s one of the most scrutinized forms of compensation. In 2025, these permanent disability payments are capped at:
- Without SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): $1,231/week
- With SSDI Offset: $820.67 per week
- PTD Minimum: $615.50 per week
To qualify for PTD, you must present strong medical and vocational evidence showing that you are incapable of returning to any work, not just your former job. PTD benefits are subject to offset if you are also receiving federal disability benefits.
Facial Disfigurement
If a work-related injury causes visible facial disfigurement, you may be entitled to extra compensation, regardless of whether you missed work. The Industrial Commission of Ohio evaluates the extent of disfigurement during a hearing.
This additional award is discretionary and capped at $10,000. Photographic evidence and medical records are often used during hearings to support these claims.
Death Benefits
If a work-related injury results in death, the deceased worker’s dependents may be eligible for death benefit payments. (Dependents typically include a surviving spouse and minor children, though others may qualify based on dependency status.) The survivor benefit includes weekly payments, funeral expenses, and potential lump-sum distributions.
2025 survivor benefits have a maximum payment of $1,231 per week and a minimum of $615.50. Funeral costs and burial expenses are also reimbursed, subject to a statutory cap. Survivors may also receive continued benefits for years, depending on their relationship to the deceased and their financial dependence.
What if Disputes Arise About Your Workers’ Comp Benefits?
Not all claim decisions are correct. Disputes can occur over:
- The percentage of impairment
- Whether you have reached maximum medical improvement
- Wage calculations
- Eligibility for certain types of benefits
- Whether job restrictions are valid
When a dispute arises, the Industrial Commission of Ohio reviews the claim. You have the right to attend a hearing, submit evidence, and be represented by a workers’ compensation attorney. At Plevin & Gallucci, we assist injured workers at every stage of the appeals process, from filing objections to representing clients at hearings.
Why Understanding the BWC Compensation Chart is So Important
The BWC compensation chart is more than just a guide. It directly affects how much you receive after an injury and for how long. If you rely on BWC or your employer to calculate your benefits, you risk being underpaid or having valid claims denied.
Understanding the chart helps you and your workers’ comp attorney:
- Recognize what benefits you qualify for
- Confirm whether workers’ comp payments are accurate
- Challenge incorrect calculations
- Plan for your financial future
What if Your Employer is Self-Insured?
In Ohio, some employers are certified by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OBWC) to operate as self-insured, meaning they pay workers’ compensation benefits directly rather than contributing to the state fund. These employers must still follow all state laws and use the BWC compensation chart to calculate benefits. Unlike state fund claims, injured workers file directly with their employer or its third-party administrator. Medical bills are paid by the employer, and benefits are based on wage calculations the employer provides.
If your self-insured employer denies your claim, miscalculates your benefits, or ends payments prematurely, you have the right to file an appeal with the Industrial Commission of Ohio. The appeal process mirrors that of a state fund claim, including hearings and evidence submissions. However, because the employer controls both claim administration and payments, the potential for conflict is higher. That’s why having a workers’ comp lawyer matters. At Plevin & Gallucci, we hold self-insured employers accountable, ensure accurate benefit calculations, and protect your right to fair compensation under Ohio law.
Call Plevin & Gallucci for Help With Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
The BWC compensation chart governs how injuries are compensated, how benefits are calculated, and how long workers’ comp payments continue. But knowing how to read the chart is only part of the process. You also need to know how to apply it and when to challenge decisions that don’t reflect the full impact of your injury.
If you’re filing a workers’ compensation claim and want to be sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to, contact Plevin & Gallucci. We’re ready to review your case, provide an accurate estimate of your benefits, and fight for the compensation you’ve earned. To schedule an initial consultation with an Ohio workers’ comp attorney, call our law firm at 855-4PLEVIN, fill out our contact form, or click in the bottom right-hand corner of the page to chat with an agent now.
