What do disability payments through workers' compensation insurance primarily depend on?

Disability payments through workers' compensation insurance primarily depend on the employee's average weekly wage. This basis is established to ensure that compensation is equitable and reflects the income that the injured worker would have earned if they had not been unable to work due to the injury or illness. The average weekly wage serves as a fundamental criterion for calculating benefits, as it provides a relevant financial measure associated with the employee's lost earnings.

While factors like medical needs and the duration of the disability may influence the overall care and benefits required, the core calculation for disability payments is focused on the individual's earnings. Age might be a factor in assessing certain benefits or in long-term disability considerations, but it does not directly influence the calculation of weekly compensation amounts. Therefore, the system primarily revolves around the average weekly wage as a fair reflection of the employee’s lost income due to their work-related disability.