How much does workers' comp pay in Louisiana?
- Louisiana temporary total pays 66⅔% of pre-injury wages.
- Limits change every September 1 by injury date: $903 maximum and $241 minimum for September 2026 – August 2027 injuries; $877 and $234 for September 2025 – August 2026; $845 and $225 for September 2024 – August 2025.
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800.
- TTD is not paid while you are working.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate Louisiana 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.
Louisiana permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- Louisiana permanent partial disability under R.S. 23:1221(4) pays 66⅔% of wages for scheduled weeks, prorated by the AMA Guides loss-of-use rating: arm 200 weeks, hand 150, leg 175, foot 125, eye 100.
- A 10% arm rating at an $800 rate is 20 weeks, or $16,000.
- Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB) separately pay 66⅔% of lost earning capacity when you cannot earn 90% of pre-injury wages, for up to 520 weeks.
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 | 200 |
| Hand | 150 |
| Leg | 175 |
| Foot | 125 |
| Eye | 100 |
How to evaluate a Louisiana settlement
- A Louisiana workers' compensation judge approves lump-sum and compromise settlements, reviewing an unrepresented worker's understanding and whether the deal provides substantial justice.
- A full and final release can include future medical, but only if the approved agreement says so.
- 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.
Louisiana workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official Louisiana sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027 | $903.00 | $241.00; no more than actual wages |
| September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026 | $877.00 | $234.00; no more than actual wages |
| September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025 | $845.00 | $225.00; no more than actual wages |
Louisiana limits change every September 1 by injury date. Low-wage exceptions to the published minimum were not verified and are not modeled.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Notify your employer within 30 days.
- File a claim generally within one year of the accident, or one year after the last indemnity payment (three years after the last SEB payment).
- Delayed-developing injuries have a one-year-from-development rule with a three-year outer limit.
Louisiana benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in Louisiana?+
Louisiana temporary total pays 66⅔% of pre-injury wages. Limits change every September 1 by injury date: $903 maximum and $241 minimum for September 2026 – August 2027 injuries; $877 and $234 for September 2025 – August 2026; $845 and $225 for September 2024 – August 2025. At $1,200 AWW the rate is $800. TTD is not paid while you are working.
How do permanent disability benefits work in Louisiana?+
Louisiana permanent partial disability under R.S. 23:1221(4) pays 66⅔% of wages for scheduled weeks, prorated by the AMA Guides loss-of-use rating: arm 200 weeks, hand 150, leg 175, foot 125, eye 100. A 10% arm rating at an $800 rate is 20 weeks, or $16,000. Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB) separately pay 66⅔% of lost earning capacity when you cannot earn 90% of pre-injury wages, for up to 520 weeks.
Can a Louisiana settlement close future medical care?+
A Louisiana workers' compensation judge approves lump-sum and compromise settlements, reviewing an unrepresented worker's understanding and whether the deal provides substantial justice. A full and final release can include future medical, but only if the approved agreement says so.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in Louisiana?+
Notify your employer within 30 days. File a claim generally within one year of the accident, or one year after the last indemnity payment (three years after the last SEB payment). Delayed-developing injuries have a one-year-from-development rule with a three-year outer limit.
Does the September rate increase raise my Louisiana check?+
No. Louisiana limits are fixed by the injury period, not the payment date. A later September increase does not raise an older claim.
What are Louisiana Supplemental Earnings Benefits (SEB)?+
SEB pays 66⅔% of the difference between pre-injury average monthly wages and what you earn or could earn after the injury, when you cannot earn 90% of pre-injury wages. It is limited to 520 weeks.
Is a below-elbow amputation paid as an arm in Louisiana?+
No. An amputation between the elbow and wrist is paid as loss of the hand; between the knee and ankle, as loss of the foot.
Can I get Louisiana TTD while working?+
No. TTD is not payable while you are employed or self-employed, including work performed in pain. SEB may apply instead.
Does surgery guarantee a larger Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 a Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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.