If an employer provides a wage statement showing irregular earnings, what is the correct basis for the disability rate?

If an employer provides a wage statement showing irregular earnings, what is the correct basis for the disability rate?

• A. two thirds of earnings the week of injury
• B. minimum temporary disability
• C. maximum temporary disability
• D. 2/3 of actual weekly earnings averaged for this period of time

Answer: (D)

When earnings are irregular, the disability rate is based on two-thirds of the worker’s actual average weekly earnings over a look-back period (such as the prior 13 weeks). You don’t use the week of injury’s pay; you compute the average weekly wage from the earnings before the injury and then take two-thirds of that average. This approach ensures the benefit reflects typical earnings rather than a single week’s pay, while still respecting any statutory minimum or maximum TD caps.

When earnings are irregular, the disability rate is based on two-thirds of the worker’s actual average weekly earnings over a look-back period (such as the prior 13 weeks). You don’t use the week of injury’s pay; you compute the average weekly wage from the earnings before the injury and then take two-thirds of that average. This approach ensures the benefit reflects typical earnings rather than a single week’s pay, while still respecting any statutory minimum or maximum TD caps.