In determining the increase in the maximum benefits for any year after 1972, the base shall be the national consumer price index on the first day of September of the preceding year. The increase in the index for the applicable twelve-month period shall be determined and shall be divided by the base used. The resulting percentage shall be applied to the existing maximums to arrive at the new maximums.
"Statewide average weekly wage" means the average weekly earnings of all workers in Ohio employment subject to Chapter 4141. of the Revised Code as determined as of the first day of September for the four full calendar quarters preceding the first day of July of each year, by the director of job and family services.
The statewide average weekly wage to be used for the determination of compensation for any employee who sustains an injury, or death, or who contracts an occupational disease during the subsequent calendar year beginning with the first day of January, shall be the statewide average weekly wage so determined as of the prior first day of September adjusted to the next higher even multiple of one dollar.
Any change in benefit amounts is effective with respect to injuries sustained, occupational diseases contracted, and deaths occurring during the calendar year for which adjustment is made.
In determining the change in the maximum benefits for any year after 1978, the base shall be the statewide average weekly wage on the first day of September of the preceding year.
R.C. §4123.62