Permanent Partial Disability Benefits in Ohio
Contents
- What is permanent partial disability?
- How to Calculate Ohio Permanent Partial Disability
- Applying for Ohio PPD Benefits
- Ohio PPD Benefit Eligibility
- FAQs
Workers in Ohio who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses often deal with more than just physical discomfort. Many need time off to recover and may lose income while receiving treatment. Even with proper care, some workers experience lasting effects that make it hard to return to their previous duties. Others may recover fully but still need help covering medical costs and missed pay during their recovery.
Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits through the Ohio workers’ compensation system are designed to help such victims. This benefit is for workers who have a permanent impairment, either physical or psychological, that does not leave them totally disabled but impedes their ability to work.
Although workers’ compensation is set up to help injured workers, the claims process can be full of red tape and difficult to understand, especially in cases of permanent partial disability. Victims are usually already overwhelmed in coping with their permanent medical condition. Having to file a claim and gather supporting documentation, then possibly go through an objection process if the claim is denied, can compound a victim’s hardship. What’s more, if not filed properly, a claim can be denied, and the benefits to which you should be entitled can be lost.
The experienced workers’ compensation attorneys at Plevin & Gallucci can represent your PPD claim and help secure the full compensation you are due. We have built our practice on helping injured Ohio workers, and we will use our expertise to help you.
Why Hire Us for Your Permanent Partial Disability Benefits Claim?
At Plevin & Gallucci, we’ve helped injured workers throughout Ohio file for PPD benefits through both the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) and self-insured employers. We know how these claims are reviewed, what documentation is needed, and how to protect your right to a fair result. If your injury left lasting damage, we’ll make sure your claim reflects it.
- We Know the Ohio BWC System: PPD claims are filed using the C-92 form and handled through either the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) or your employer, if they’re self-insured. We’ve worked within both systems and know how to keep your claim on track from start to finish.
- We Help You Prepare for the Medical Exam: A percentage of impairment is assigned during a medical evaluation, and that number drives your award. We’ll walk you through what to expect and confirm the doctor has all the facts before making a decision.
- We Review Ratings for Accuracy: If the percentage assigned doesn’t reflect the real impact of your injury, we’ll look for gaps, oversights, or medical errors. Then we’ll help you request a hearing or second opinion, depending on your case.
- We Protect Your Timelines: You can’t file for PPD until you reach maximum medical improvement, and some claims have waiting periods or other delays. We monitor deadlines and file at the right time to avoid unnecessary setbacks.
- We Handle Disputes Before the Industrial Commission: If your claim is denied or undervalued, we’re ready to represent you in hearings. We’ve argued cases before the Ohio Industrial Commission for decades and know how to present evidence that gets results.
- We Care About Your Future: Even if you’re back at work, permanent damage can interfere with your life in quiet but persistent ways. We’ll work to ensure those long-term effects aren’t overlooked in your rating or award.
What is Permanent Partial Disability?
If you suffer a work-related injury or develop an occupational disease that causes lasting harm to part of your body, you may qualify for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits through the Ohio workers’ compensation system. These benefits are intended to compensate you for permanent damage, even if you’ve returned to work or no longer require temporary wage loss payments. PPD benefits recognize that a work injury can leave behind residual effects that reduce your physical or mental abilities, even after treatment and recovery.
A wide range of conditions can result in PPD compensation. Common examples include partial or total loss of function in a hand, arm, leg, foot, or finger. But PPD is not limited to extremity injuries. Back injuries, respiratory illnesses, hearing loss, vision impairment, and certain psychological conditions may also qualify, provided there is medical evidence of permanent impairment caused by the allowed condition. Mental health conditions that arise from a work injury, such as PTSD or depression, may also support a PPD award when properly documented and approved as part of the claim.
In Ohio, PPD awards are based on a percentage of permanent impairment, which are calculated based on the impact to the specifically allowed body part or conditions. This rating is usually determined through a medical examination after you’ve reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), which means your condition is stable and unlikely to improve with further treatment. You do not need to be fully disabled or out of work to qualify. Many PPD recipients continue working with some limitations or residual symptoms.
This is different from Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits, which are awarded only when you’re medically unable to work due to your injury. TTD is a wage replacement benefit that ends once you return to work or reach MMI. PPD, by contrast, is often paid as a lump sum based on the degree of impairment after recovery is complete. For further clarification, here is a table that illustrates the difference between Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) and Total Temporary Disability (TTD) benefits in Ohio.
| Category | Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) | Temporary Total Disability (TTD) |
| Purpose | Compensates for permanent damage after a work injury | Compensates for lost wages during recovery from a disabling injury |
| Eligibility | Awarded after you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) | Available if you’re completely unable to work due to a work-related injury |
| Payment Type | One-time or scheduled lump-sum award | Ongoing wage replacement (usually biweekly) |
| How It’s Calculated | Based on a medical percentage of permanent impairment | Based on two-thirds of your average weekly wage (up to a state max) |
| When It Begins | After reaching MMI and filing a C-92 form | Starts after the waiting period once you’re unable to return to work |
| Duration | Based on impairment rating; not ongoing | Temporary; ends when you return to work or reach MMI |
| Available Through | Ohio BWC or self-insured employer | Ohio BWC or self-insured employer |
| Work Status Impact | Can be awarded even if you return to work | Only awarded while you’re medically unable to work |
| Medical Exam Requirement | Impairment exam required to assign a percentage | Supporting medical documentation is required to prove disability |
Why You Should Hire a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer to Help With Your PPD Claim
Applying for Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits may seem straightforward, but mistakes or missing information can lower your award or delay your payment. The BWC and self-insured employers don’t always agree with the impairment rating submitted in your claim – in some cases, they may send you to a separate medical exam, deny your application, or issue a percentage that doesn’t reflect the full impact of your injury.
A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you prepare a stronger application by making sure the documentation is complete and you meet all required deadlines. They can also step in if the BWC or employer disputes your rating, delays the exam, or rejects your C-92 form. Legal guidance can keep the claim moving forward and help you avoid unnecessary hearings or corrections.
Medical ratings don’t always tell the full story. If you’ve developed lasting symptoms, pain, or complications that interfere with your life, your workers’ comp lawyer can help make sure that information is included in the record. They’ll help gather the medical support needed to back your claim and may work with your doctor to clarify limitations caused by the injury.
In cases where a second opinion or hearing is needed, your lawyer can represent you before the Industrial Commission. They’ll make the argument for a fairer award based on the law, the medical evidence, and how your injury affects your daily activities. That representation can make a meaningful difference in the final result.
PPD compensation is meant to recognize the permanent damage caused by your work injury. A lawyer can help you apply with confidence that nothing important has been overlooked. With the right support, you can improve your chances of receiving the full amount you’re owed under Ohio law.
Ohio Permanent Partial Disability Calculation
Other types of workers’ compensation payments must end before an injured worker can file for PPD. Benefits are calculated based on the percentage of the worker’s impairment caused by the work-related injury or occupational disease. This is a percentage of a whole person’s impairment.
To better understand this concept, a 100% impairment would be total incapacitation. For example, a comatose person on a respirator would be at a 100% impairment. Essentially, in a PPD situation, the higher the percentage of impairment, the greater the benefit.
This calculator is a reference tool only. It uses the Ohio workers’‑compensation maximum weekly rates you entered to give an informal estimate of potential benefits. It does not account for every statutory rule, offset, or case‑specific factor, and it is not legal or financial advice. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and/or the Industrial Commission make the final, binding determinations—always verify your figures with them or with a qualified attorney.Applying for Ohio PPD Benefits
To apply for PPD benefits in Ohio, the injured worker must file an Application for Determination of the Percentage of Permanent Partial Disability or Increase of Permanent Partial Disability (C-92) with the Ohio BWC. These forms may be filed:
- 26 weeks after receiving the last award for temporary total or wage loss; or,
- 26 weeks from the date of injury or date of contracting an occupational disease, if compensation is not paid.
After filing the forms, the injured worker will undergo a medical examination to determine the percentage of the disability. There is a statewide network of independent physicians who perform these exams. Based on the findings of the medical exam report, the BWC will issue a tentative order on the percentage of disability awarded. The injured worker and the employer have 20 days from receiving the order to object. If no objection is filed, the order becomes effective.
Ohio PPD Benefit Eligibility
If you suffer a permanent impairment after being injured at work or falling ill from conditions at work, you may be eligible for PPD benefits.
An example of a worker eligible for PPD might be a construction worker who has lost a finger during an on-the-job accident and been told by a doctor that heavy lifting should be permanently avoided. Since this is a job restriction due to a work-related injury, the construction worker may be eligible for PPD benefits.
PPD can be awarded due to a wide range of medical conditions, such as:
- Loss of a limb;
- Vision loss in one eye;
- Hearing loss;
- Back injury;
- Knee injury;
- Nerve damage;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Permanent Partial Disability Ohio FAQs
What Happens After You File an Objection?
The objection will be heard by the Industrial Commission of Ohio (IC). The IC will make a ruling based on the medical evidence presented. The IC may agree with, increase, or decrease the benefits previously awarded. Either party may request a reconsideration of the initial ruling. The IC will hear the reconsideration request and make a final decision. The decision on the reconsideration cannot be further appealed. Throughout the objection process, the BWC will not pay PPC benefits until the IC issues a final decision.
What Happens If You File a Request For An Increase with the BWC?
The BWC forwards the request for an increase (C-92) and the supporting documents to the worker’s employer. The bureau will review the medical file before processing a payment for an increase request. In some instances, the BWC may schedule a medical examination. This typically happens with highly complex injuries or when another condition has been allowed as part of the claim. It is important to include any relevant documents in support of your increase request. The BWC will dismiss a C-92 application that does not include supporting documentation.
Do Ohio PPD Benefits Cover Physical and Psychological Impairment?
Yes, Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits in Ohio can cover both physical and psychological impairments. For example:
- Physical impairments may include injuries like loss of a limb, nerve damage, or chronic pain conditions;
- Psychological impairments could include conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions related to a workplace injury.
Both types of impairments must be documented, and the BWC will evaluate them to determine the percentage of disability and the appropriate compensation.
Get Help with Your PPD Workers’ Comp Benefits Today
Plevin & Gallucci has a proven record of winning workers’ compensation claims for injured victims in Ohio. Don’t take a chance on your future. Contact us today to find out how we can use our decades of legal experience to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Get Help with Your PPD Workers Comp Benefits
Plevin & Gallucci has a proven record of winning workers’ compensation claims for injured victims in Ohio. Don’t take a chance on your future. Contact us today to find out how we can use our decades of legal experience to help you get the compensation you deserve.
