Ametepe v. Peak Time Parking, Corp.

**Worker Wins Right to Overtime Pay While on Light Duty** This case involved a worker named Earles who was injured on the job and placed on light-duty work that prevented her from earning overtime pay. Before her injury, Earles regularly worked overtime hours. While recovering and doing lighter tasks, she was excluded from overtime opportunities and lost significant income as a result. Earles filed for workers' compensation benefits to cover her lost overtime wages. Her employer, BF Goodrich Company's Specialty Chemicals Division, fought against paying these benefits and also challenged whether her claim was filed on time. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of the worker. The court said Earles was entitled to compensation for the overtime wages she lost while on light duty following her work injury. The court also rejected the employer's argument that her claim was filed too late. **What this means for workers:** If you're injured at work and placed on light duty that prevents you from earning your usual overtime pay, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits to make up for that lost income. This ruling reinforces that workers shouldn't have to absorb financial losses from reduced earning opportunities while recovering from workplace injuries.