Decline in State Average Weekly Wage Drives Maximum Benefit Decrease

Maximum benefit levels for claimants injured on or after July 1 will decrease by 1.149% from present levels due to a decrease in the state average weekly wage, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services announced Thursday. The department said the state average weekly wage has decreased to $963.01 from $974.20. Maximum benefit levels are adjusted annually at 100% of the SAWW. Some attorney fees are also tied to the average wage rate. The department said its Workers’ Compensation Division will issue revised Bulletins 111, 124 and 356 before the end of the month to reflect th...