What is a C-92 Form?
A C-92 form is used to request permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. The C-92 application may be filed with the BWC after 26 weeks have elapsed since the last payment of temporary total disability compensation. If no temporary total disability compensation has been paid, the application may be filed 26 weeks after the date of injury. Once the C-92 application is filed, the BWC will schedule the injured worker for an examination with one of its doctors to determine the level or percentage of impairment the injury has caused.
The C-92 form may be filed more than once in a claim. After the initial C-92 application is filed and processed, an injured worker may file additional applications, referred to as C-92(A) applications, if circumstances in the claim change. A change in circumstances can include worsening of the allowed conditions or the additional allowance of new conditions within the claim.
What is a C-84 Form?
A C-84 form is used to request temporary total disability (TTD) compensation. When an injured worker suffers a loss of wages due to an allowed claim, the C-84 is used to seek TTD as a form of wage replacement. The C-84 form has two specific portions. The first portion is completed by the injured worker. The second part is completed by the physician of record and identifies the estimated time the injured worker will be removed from his or her former position of employment due to the injury.
When the doctor certifies TTD on the C-84 form, it is important that the doctor's certification consider only the allowed conditions in the claim. TTD can only be justified if the allowed conditions of a claim are sufficient to disable the injured worker from his former position of employment.
What is a permanent partial award?
A permanent partial award is one of the various benefits available to injured workers in the workers' compensation system. Unlike temporary total disability compensation (TTD), which compensates a person for the loss of wages he or she experiences while recovering from an injury, a permanent partial disability award (PPD) is potentially available to all injured workers, regardless of whether or not there is time lost from work.
An injured worker may seek a PPD award 26 weeks after the last payment of TTD in the claim. If no TTD has been paid, the 26 week waiting period starts on the date of the injury.
The purpose of the PPD award is to compensation an injured worker for the degree of ongoing residual impairment he or she experiences as a result of the injury and the impact such impairment has on the injured worker's usual activities. When a PPD application is filed, the BWC will schedule the injured worker for a medical examination at which time the allowed conditions in the claim will be considered to determine what percentage of impairment the injured worker has endured. The BWC will then issue a tentative order which identifies the PPD award as found by the BWC's examining doctor.
This tentative order is subject to appeal and an injured worker is free to obtain his or her own medical opinion as to the extent of disability. If an appeal is filed, the matter will proceed to an Industrial Commission hearing. At this hearing, the hearing officer will review the opposing medical opinions pertaining to the degree of permanent partial impairment. In most situations, the hearing officer will find a compromise between the BWC's medical report and the injured worker's medical report.
Cities served by the Bainbridge Firm - Central Ohio
In addition to serving Southern Ohio with two offices in Portsmouth and Ironton, the Bainbridge Firm serves the Central Ohio region with its main office located in Columbus.
Columbus is an important city in the workers' compensation system. The Commissioners of the Industrial Commission, the highest administrative level, sit in Columbus. In addition, the Tenth District Court of Appeals sits within Franklin County and is vested with authority to hear mandamus challenges to extent of disability issues decided by the Commission.
The Columbus Industrial Commission office handles claims from Franklin County and most of the surrounding counties.
Cities served by the Bainbridge Firm - Southern Ohio
With two separate offices located along the Ohio River, the Bainbridge Firm has extensive contacts with Southern Ohio.
Ironton is home to the first satellite office. Staffed full time, the Ironton office provides local service for claimants. The office is conveniently located a block and a half away from the Lawrence County Courthouse. Claimants who frequent the Ironton office may reside in Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, or even Western West Virginia. The vast majority of hearings for these clients will be held in Portsmouth at the local Industrial Commission Office.
Portsmouth is home to the second satellite office. Staffed full time as well, the Portsmouth office provides services to Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky clients who have Ohio workers' compensation claims. Located a few blocks north of the Industrial Commission office, the satellite office offers easy access to clients with questions or concerns about their claims.