Work injuries don’t always heal completely. Sometimes the damage is permanent, leaving you unable to perform the physical demands of your previous job. When this happens, Ohio’s workers’ compensation system provides several options to help you transition to new employment or receive ongoing benefits.

Here are your options when you can’t return to your old job after a work injury:

• Temporary Total Disability Benefits: If your doctor determines you cannot work at all while recovering, you’re entitled to temporary total disability (TTD) benefits that replace 66⅔% of your average weekly wage. Insurance companies often try to cut off TTD benefits prematurely by claiming you can return to light duty, even when your doctor disagrees.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services: When your injury prevents you from returning to your old job, Ohio workers’ comp may provide vocational rehabilitation including job training programs, educational assistance, and job placement services. However, insurance companies often deny these services, arguing they’re unnecessary or too expensive.
• Permanent Partial Disability Awards: If your injury results in permanent limitations that don’t completely prevent you from working, you may qualify for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits that compensate you for loss of earning capacity. PPD calculations are complex and frequently disputed by insurance companies who argue your limitations are less severe than claimed.
• Permanent Total Disability Benefits: In severe cases where your injury prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful employment, you may qualify for permanent total disability (PTD) benefits that provide ongoing income replacement. PTD claims face the strongest resistance because they represent the most expensive outcome for insurance companies.
• Wage Loss Benefits: Ohio’s wage loss system compensates injured workers when they return to work but earn less than their pre-injury wages due to their limitations. Insurance companies often dispute these claims by arguing your reduced earnings aren’t related to your work injury.
• Lifetime Medical Benefits: Regardless of which disability category applies, you’re entitled to ongoing medical treatment for your work-related injury, including doctor visits, medications, and future surgeries. Insurance companies may try to limit medical benefits by claiming treatments aren’t necessary.

The workers’ compensation system offers multiple options when you can’t return to your old job, but insurance companies fight these benefits aggressively. Each option has specific requirements and deadlines that must be met to preserve your rights.

The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your workers’ compensation claim. When work injuries change your life forever, I’ll Make Them Pay!^® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so I can evaluate your case right away.