What Language are Workers' Comp. Attorneys Using?

Many of my clients have entered the industrial commission location and feel as though they are hearing a different language.  When I went to orientation as a new Ohio BWC employee prior to attending law school, i felt the same way.  luckily, they gave us a "cheat sheet" so we had a basic understanding as to what was being discussed.   Here are 7 commonly used acronyms used by workers compensation attorneys, claims representatives, and others familiar with the world of Ohio workers' compensation...

1.  TT (Temporary Total)   compensation paid to an injured worker when he is off work due to allowed conditions in their claim.

2.  FROI (First Report of Injury)  initial form usually completed by employer, injured worker, or physician which provides the who, what, when, where, and how of the work injury. 

3. DHO (District Hearing Officer)  the industrial commission hearing officer who handles first level appeals. 

4. SHO (Staff Hearing Officer) the industrial commission hearing officer who handles appeals from the decision(s) of the DHO. 

5. MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) treatment plateau where no fundamental change in status of medical condition can be expected within a reasonable probability.  a finding of MMI may stop further TT payments.

6. VSSR (Violation of Specific Safety Requirement)  when the employer violates a safety regulation found in the ohio administrative code which caused the injured worker to sustain the injury.

7. PPD (percentage permanent partial disability)  an award to an injured worker who has suffered permanent impairment due to the allowed condition(s) on their claim.