How is the Average Weekly Wage (AWW) calculated?

The calculation of the Average Weekly Wage (AWW) in the context of West Virginia Workers' Compensation is based on the best quarter of wages from the preceding four quarters. This method provides a more stable and representative figure of an employee's typical earnings, especially for those whose income may fluctuate seasonally or due to changes in work hours.

By considering the best quarter, the calculation captures a period where the employee likely earned their highest wages, reflecting their earning capacity more accurately than other methods might. This can be particularly important for workers who might experience variations in pay due to overtime, seasonal work, or part-time employment patterns.

Using just the employee's salary over the past year, the average of the last paycheck, or solely the current wage can lead to an inaccurate representation of the worker's financial situation and earning potential, especially if those figures do not reflect the employee's typical earnings over time. This is why option C is the correct approach to determining AWW, as it effectively accounts for variations in income and focuses on a period likely to show the highest earning capability.