Ohio Temporary Total Disability Attorneys
If a work injury keeps you off the job, Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits can be a lifeline. These weekly payments replace lost wages while you recover, but getting approved, staying qualified, and receiving full payments isn’t always easy, especially if your employer or the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation challenges your claim.
At Plevin & Gallucci, we help injured workers across Ohio who have had their TTD benefits delayed, reduced, or denied. Our experienced attorneys can handle every stage of your workers’ comp claim, from the initial application to representation at Ohio Industrial Commission hearings and appeals. We know how time off work impacts your income and your ability to care for yourself or your family, and we help you get the wage and medical benefits you’re entitled to receive under Ohio law.
Questions About TTD?
When you work with Plevin & Gallucci, rest assured that you are in capable hands. Our attorneys have decades of experience helping injured workers receive TTD benefits. Contact us today at 1-855-4-PLEVIN for a free case review to learn about your next legal steps.
Why Hire Us for Your Temporary Total Disability Benefits Claim?
When your income is at risk due to a workplace injury, you need an attorney with the experience, diligence, and resources to get results. Temporary Total Disability benefits aren’t automatically awarded, and processing or payment delays are common. At Plevin & Gallucci, we represent workers across Ohio who are struggling to secure or keep the wage replacement benefits they need during recovery.
- Experienced Claim Representation: Our legal team has decades of experience handling workers’ compensation claims in Ohio from start to finish. We know how these claims are reviewed, what the BWC or your self-insured employer will be looking for, and what evidence is needed to make your case as strong as possible.
- Communication with Employers and Insurers: We take over the back-and-forth with your employer and/or the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Let us handle the paperwork, phone calls, and procedural steps that keep your workers’ comp claim moving forward.
- Strong Medical Support for Your Claim: Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers coordinate with your doctors to make sure your restrictions and treatment needs are clearly documented. Clear, timely records make a major difference when proving that you can’t return to work yet.
- Challenging Denials or Terminations: If your weekly benefits are denied or cut off too soon, our workers’ comp lawyers are ready to step in and take your case to a hearing. We gather the necessary medical and work-related evidence and argue on your behalf before entities like the Ohio Industrial Commission.
- Consistent Client Communication: You’ll never be left wondering where things stand. We stay in regular contact, explain what to expect, and answer your questions as your case progresses.
If your Temporary Total Disability benefits have been delayed, denied, or suddenly stopped, we can help. At Plevin & Gallucci, we’ve stood with injured Ohio workers for over 50 years, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
What Does Temporary Total Disability Mean?
In Ohio, Temporary Total Disability (TTD) is a workers’ compensation benefit paid to employees who are completely unable to work for a limited period due to a work-related injury or illness. These benefits are meant to replace lost wages while you recover and are unable to return to any form of employment, even light duty.
Under Ohio law, you’re eligible for TTD if your doctor confirms that your injury temporarily prevents you from doing your job. Payments generally begin after seven missed calendar days and continue until you either return to work, reach maximum medical improvement, or are medically cleared for some form of modified duty.
To receive TTD, your claim must be approved by the BWC or Industrial Commission, and ongoing medical proof is required to show that you’re still unable to work. If there’s a dispute, such as a denial or early termination, you have the right to appeal and request a hearing.
The TTD Ohio Benefits Timeframe
When you’re injured on the job, it’s important to see a doctor right away. You’ll need a medical evaluation to confirm that your injury prevents you from working, and your claim must be filed promptly. In Ohio, you have the right to choose your own physician, but that doctor must be approved by the BWC to treat work-related injuries.
As we explained earlier, TTD benefits begin after you’ve missed seven consecutive calendar days of work. If you’re out for 14 days or more, the BWC may issue retroactive pay for that first week. These payments will continue as long as a medical provider certifies that you’re temporarily unable to return to any type of work. If you delay filing your claim, you risk losing eligibility for benefits altogether. Filing promptly ensures that your claim can be processed and that your benefits start without unnecessary setbacks.
TTD ends when you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI), which means your condition isn’t expected to improve with further treatment. It can also stop if your doctor clears you for light-duty work and your employer offers a suitable position. If there’s a disagreement about MMI status or work restrictions, the matter can go before the Ohio Industrial Commission for review.
Am I Eligible for Temporary Total Disability in Ohio?
To qualify for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits in Ohio, you must show medical evidence that your work-related injury has left you temporarily and totally unable to perform your job. “Temporarily disabled” means your condition is expected to improve over time with proper medical care. Your doctor should outline a treatment plan and provide clear documentation showing that recovery is likely.
In addition to showing that you’re receiving medical treatment, you must also prove that you can’t return to your regular work duties. If you can only perform limited tasks due to medical restrictions, you may still be considered totally disabled under Ohio law. However, this doesn’t automatically guarantee payment of TTD benefits.
If your employer is able and willing to accommodate your medical restrictions, you may be required to return to work in that restricted role. The employer must comply with guidelines set by the BWC, and the light-duty work must match your medical limitations. If those conditions are met and you decline the modified job, you may lose eligibility for disability compensation.
How Do You Receive TTD Benefits?
To receive Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits in Ohio, you must start by filing a workers’ compensation claim through the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The BWC will review your claim and decide whether to approve Temporary Total Disability benefits based on the medical evidence provided. If the BWC cannot make a direct determination, your application may be referred to the Ohio Industrial Commission for adjudication. That review process will consider your eligibility based on medical reports, job duties, and other claim-related documents.
Can You Work While Receiving TTD Benefits?
No. In most cases, you can’t work while receiving Temporary Total Disability benefits in Ohio. These benefits are meant for workers who are completely unable to perform any job duties due to a work-related injury. Earning wages while collecting TTD is considered fraud and can result in serious consequences, including criminal charges. Before you engage in any work-related activities (paid or unpaid), it’s important to speak with your doctor and consult an Ohio workers’ compensation attorney.
If you were injured at one job but also work at another, the rules still apply. The BWC will not pay TTD benefits if you continue to work in any capacity, even part-time, at a second job. However, if your injury prevents you from doing all of your pre-injury work, you may qualify for other types of wage replacement benefits. An attorney can help you determine what you’re eligible for and how to avoid putting your benefits at risk.
How is Payment for TTD Calculated?
In Ohio, Temporary Total Disability payments are based on your earnings before the injury and follow a two-step calculation. For the first 12 weeks that you’re unable to work, compensation is set at 72% of your full weekly wage (FWW). The FWW is determined by taking the higher amount between the average of your earnings during the six weeks before your injury or your last full week of work.
After the initial 12-week period, the payment rate changes to 66.66% of your average weekly wage (AWW). The AWW is calculated using your income from the 52 weeks prior to the date of injury and includes wages from all employers during that time, not just the employer you were working for when the injury happened. These wage calculations are also subject to statewide caps and may be reduced if certain offsets apply.
Because your rate of pay can depend on factors like unemployment, school enrollment, or irregular work history, it’s a good idea to speak with an attorney. Legal guidance can help ensure your wage information is calculated properly and that you receive the maximum compensation available under Ohio law.
When Will TTD Payments Stop?
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are intended to provide income while you’re unable to work due to a job-related injury. However, these payments don’t continue indefinitely. Under Ohio law, several conditions can bring TTD payments to an end.
TTD benefits will stop when an injured employee returns to work, either with the same employer or a new one. Payments also end if your treating physician clears you to resume your job duties, even if you haven’t actually gone back to work yet. If your employer or another employer offers work that matches your medical restrictions, you’re expected to accept it. Declining a suitable position can result in your benefits being terminated.
Other events that stop TTD payments include reaching maximum medical improvement, which means further treatment is not expected to improve your condition. If you’re incarcerated during your disability period, benefits will also stop. Finally, if you voluntarily abandon your job (for example, by quitting without medical clearance), your right to continue receiving TTD compensation may be forfeited.
What Do You Do When TTD is Over?
If you’re no longer eligible for Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits, that doesn’t necessarily mean your workers’ compensation claim is closed. In Ohio, other types of compensation may be available depending on your medical condition, ability to return to work, and long-term impact of your injury.
If you return to work but earn less because of your injury, you may qualify for working wage loss benefits. If you’re unable to find work despite your restrictions, non-working wage loss compensation may apply. In cases where retraining is needed, vocational rehabilitation programs can help you develop new skills and return to the workforce.
If your injury prevents you from working in any capacity permanently, you may be eligible for permanent total disability. And if your injury leaves you with lasting impairment but you’re able to work, you might receive permanent partial disability compensation. An attorney can help evaluate these options and pursue the benefits that apply to your situation.
Get Help with Your TTD 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.
Why You Should Speak to a TTD Workers’ Compensation Attorney
TTD and other workers’ compensation benefits can be difficult to secure without the right guidance. Eligibility, payment rates, return-to-work status, and even accusations of voluntary abandonment can all affect your ability to receive and keep your benefits. These issues often arise when you’re already dealing with pain, stress, and financial uncertainty.
If your injury is keeping you off the job, speaking with an experienced attorney can help protect both your recovery and your income. At Plevin & Gallucci, we’ve spent decades standing up for injured workers whose benefits were delayed, reduced, or denied. We understand how the system works and what it takes to get results. Call us today at (866) 536-3702 for a free case review and find out how legal representation can help you move forward.
