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Workers’ compensation rates are plunging across the nation, leaving many injured workers without the means to provide for themselves and their families.
After the dust from the Great Recession settled, states began undertaking radical measures to attract new businesses, which meant caving in to business demands to make cuts to workers’ compensation benefits.
Over 30 states have reduced workers’ comp benefits in the last decade. Employers in these states are now able to pay the lowest rate for workers’ compensation since the 1970s. In states that have drastically reduced benefits, many injured workers and their families have to rely on federal programs such as Medicaid and SSDI to get by.
In addition to reduced benefits, injured workers often have to fight with insurance companies to receive medications and treatments that could help them recover.
Residents in Ohio might be watching from the sidelines and wondering if a failure in the workers’ comp system could happen in our state.
Are Workers’ Comp Benefits Being Cut in Ohio?
Fortunately, Ohio has remained resilient to changes that are affecting other states. According to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the average weekly wage benefits across Ohio were $862. When comparing specific injury payouts in Ohio to other states, it can build a sense of gratitude. For example, in Alabama the loss of an eye will net $27,280 in compensation, whereas in Ohio the compensation for the same injury is $107,750.
Observing the plight of another state can be useful in that it shows how important workers’ compensation is to individuals and families.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC does not believe that injured workers should have to fight to receive compensation, but in the event they are put in that position, we have decades of experience defending them.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC – Columbus Workers’ Comp Attorneys