Parker Johnston v. Director, Office of Workers Compensation Programs Matson Terminals, Inc., Self-Insured Employer

# Parker Johnston v. Director, Office of Workers Compensation Programs **What Happened** Parker Johnston, a worker at Matson Terminals, was injured on the job. After his injury, he returned to work in the same position but at the same wage rate he earned before getting hurt. Johnston argued that his workers' compensation benefits should be adjusted for inflation to reflect how his wage-earning ability had declined compared to what he might have earned if he hadn't been injured. **The Court's Decision** The appeals court ruled against Johnston. The court decided that when an injured worker returns to the same job at the same pay rate, no wage adjustment is necessary. The actual wages he was earning fairly represented his ability to earn money, even though inflation had occurred. **Why This Matters** This ruling means injured workers who go back to their previous jobs at the previous pay rates generally cannot demand inflation adjustments to their workers' compensation benefits. The court treated returning to the same position as proof that the worker could still earn adequately, regardless of rising costs over time.