What is Average Weekly Wage in Maryland Workers’ Compensation?
The easiest definition of average weekly wage is: What you make in one week of working. The Average of Your Previous 14 Weeks of Pay
However, the way average weekly wage (or AWW) is calculated is subject to specific rules and workers’ compensation laws. Your lawyer and the workers’ comp commission figures out your average weekly wage by determining the average of your previous 14 weeks of pay. This way, if the week before your injury you only made half as much as you usually make, or you made twice what you usually make, the amount is normalized.
Make sure your Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer knows not just about your regular wages, but about bonuses, vacation pay, and overtime. They all count. Even allowances for meals, transportation, and other expenses can be counted in your average weekly wage.
If you have other jobs, you will not be able to factor in your second or third job. There is an exception to this, however, if you work less than 20 hours at the job where you were injured. It is important your lawyer know about all aspects of your working life and wages. For instance, tips are included. If you work as a bartender, server, waiter or waitress, or any other job receiving gratuities, make sure they are included in average weekly wage.
Volunteers are entitled to certain benefits, even though the average weekly wage is zero. Consult an attorney about this issue. In fact, even working prisoners are entitled to compensation under workers’ comp. If you work for someone else, generally, there is some level of comp benefits available to you.
