How much does workers' comp pay in Alabama?
- Alabama temporary total disability pays 66⅔% of average weekly earnings, up to $1,219 a week for injuries on or after July 1, 2026, with a $335 minimum.
- If your average weekly wage is below the minimum, the benefit is your full weekly wage.
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800.
- Benefits begin after a three-day waiting period, with the first days paid if disability lasts long enough under the Act.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate Alabama ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
Alabama permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- Alabama scheduled permanent partial disability = percentage of loss × scheduled weeks × the compensation rate, capped at $220 a week for permanent partial awards.
- Schedule: arm 222 weeks, leg 200, hand 170, foot 139, eye 124, thumb 65, index finger 40, middle finger 35, ring finger 25, little finger 20.
- A 10% arm loss at a $220 capped rate is 22.2 weeks × $220 = $4,884.
- Non-scheduled and whole-person awards follow separate statutory formulas.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
| Award basis | Full-loss / full-person weeks |
|---|---|
| Arm | 222 |
| Leg | 200 |
| Hand | 170 |
| Foot | 139 |
| Eye | 124 |
| Thumb | 65 |
| Index finger | 40 |
| Middle finger | 35 |
| Ring finger | 25 |
| Little finger | 20 |
How to evaluate an Alabama settlement
- Alabama settlements can address compensation, medical benefits and rehabilitation, but a settlement below statutory benefits requires court approval after a judicial inquiry.
- Whether a given settlement closes future medical depends on its terms and the required approval.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
Alabama workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official Alabama sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 or later | $1,219.00 | $335.00; no more than actual wages |
| July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | $1,172.00 | $322.00; no more than actual wages |
| July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 | $1,130.00 | $311.00; no more than actual wages |
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Give your employer notice within five days if possible; notice must be given within 90 days of the accident.
- A claim generally must be filed within two years, subject to statutory exceptions.
Alabama benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in Alabama?+
Alabama temporary total disability pays 66⅔% of average weekly earnings, up to $1,219 a week for injuries on or after July 1, 2026, with a $335 minimum. If your average weekly wage is below the minimum, the benefit is your full weekly wage. At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800. Benefits begin after a three-day waiting period, with the first days paid if disability lasts long enough under the Act.
How do permanent disability benefits work in Alabama?+
Alabama scheduled permanent partial disability = percentage of loss × scheduled weeks × the compensation rate, capped at $220 a week for permanent partial awards. Schedule: arm 222 weeks, leg 200, hand 170, foot 139, eye 124, thumb 65, index finger 40, middle finger 35, ring finger 25, little finger 20. A 10% arm loss at a $220 capped rate is 22.2 weeks × $220 = $4,884. Non-scheduled and whole-person awards follow separate statutory formulas.
Can an Alabama settlement close future medical care?+
Alabama settlements can address compensation, medical benefits and rehabilitation, but a settlement below statutory benefits requires court approval after a judicial inquiry. Whether a given settlement closes future medical depends on its terms and the required approval.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in Alabama?+
Give your employer notice within five days if possible; notice must be given within 90 days of the accident. A claim generally must be filed within two years, subject to statutory exceptions.
Why is my Alabama permanent partial payment capped at $220 a week?+
Alabama law caps permanent partial disability at $220 a week regardless of your wages, one of the lowest permanent-award caps in the country. Temporary total disability uses the much higher $1,219 maximum instead.
What is the Alabama waiting period?+
The first three days of disability are not paid unless the disability lasts long enough under the Act; check the current statutory threshold for your claim.
Does Alabama pay a back injury on the body-part schedule?+
No. The scheduled weeks apply to listed body members. Back and other non-scheduled injuries use separate statutory formulas based on the injury's effect on earning capacity.
Does surgery guarantee a larger Alabama settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are Alabama workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through Alabama workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare an Alabama settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my Alabama benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.