How is an employee's Average Weekly Wage determined following an injury?

The Average Weekly Wage (AWW) is a critical calculation used in workers' compensation claims to determine the benefits an injured worker is entitled to receive. In Mississippi, the calculation for AWW is typically based on the employee's earnings over the last 13 weeks of work preceding the injury.

This 13-week period allows for a more recent and relevant assessment of an employee’s earnings, taking into account any fluctuations in hours worked or pay rates. It ensures that the calculated wage reflects the worker's current financial situation more accurately than longer periods like 26 or 52 weeks, which might include less relevant earnings data or seasonal employment variations.

Choosing a 13-week timeframe is intended to balance the need for an accurate reflection of regular earnings while still being close enough to the event of injury to represent the employee's actual earning capacity at the time of the incident. Additionally, using a shorter timeframe avoids potential distortions that could arise from long-term fluctuations in pay or temporary layoffs.