WAC 296-14-520. Why is it important to establish the worker's monthly wage?

The department or self-insurer is required to establish a monthly wage that fairly and reasonably reflects workers' lost wages from all employment at the time of injury or date of disease manifestation. This monthly wage, which is calculated using the formulas in RCW 51.08.178 , represents the worker's lost earning capacity. This monthly wage is used to calculate the rate of the worker's total disability compensation or beneficiary's survivor benefits under Washington's Industrial Insurance Act.