Opinion ID: 2070301
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Averaging

Text: [¶ 15] The determination of the average weekly wage is controlled by subsection 102(4), which provides, in pertinent part: A. Average weekly wages, earnings or salary of an injured employee means the amount that the employee was receiving at the time of the injury.... In the case of piece workers and other employees whose wages during that year have generally varied from week to week, wages are averaged in accordance with the method provided under paragraph B. B. When the employment or occupation did not continue pursuant to paragraph A for 200 full working days, average weekly wages, earnings or salary is determined by dividing the entire amount of wages or salary earned by the injured employee during the immediately preceding year by the total number of weeks, any part of which the employee worked during the same period. .... 39-A M.R.S.A. § 102(4) (emphasis added). [¶ 16] Both parties agree that the Board calculated the average weekly wage by averaging, applying paragraph 102(4)(B). UPS contends that because the employment lasted longer than 200 days, the hearing officer should have applied paragraph 102(4)(A). We disagree. The plain language of subparagraph A requires averaging when the wages have varied from week to week, without regard to the 200 day cutoff. 39-A M.R.S.A. § 102(4)(A). [¶ 17] The mere fact that wages are not identical from week to week, however, does not mean that the wages varied for purposes of subparagraph A. The extent and frequency of fluctuation will determine whether the wages varied for purposes of averaging. Thus, the hearing officer was required to determine whether the fluctuations in McAdam's wages constituted a variance pursuant to subparagraph A. [5] During the year in question, McAdam's wages ranged from a low of $443.56 to a high of $948.42 and varied substantially within that range from week to week. The hearing officer acted within his authority in determining that McAdam's wages varied from week to week, therefore requiring that the average weekly wage be calculated by averaging.