How much does workers' comp pay in New Hampshire?
- New Hampshire pays 60% of your average weekly wage, but never more than 100% of after-tax earnings.
- The newest Department of Labor rate table lists a $2,309 weekly maximum and $461.74 minimum effective July 1, 2025.
- If your AWW is at or below the minimum, you receive your full AWW (not over 90% of after-tax earnings).
- At $1,200 AWW the rate is $720.
- The Department issues new limits each July 1; confirm the current year's notice.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate New Hampshire ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$720.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
New Hampshire permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- New Hampshire pays a scheduled permanent impairment award, in a single payment, on top of weekly benefits: percentage of loss × scheduled weeks × your compensation rate.
- Schedule: arm 210 weeks, hand 189, leg 140, foot 98, one eye 84, thumb 76, index finger 47.
- Spine, brain, multiple losses and qualifying burns use a 350-week whole-person basis under the AMA Guides 5th edition.
- A 10% arm at a $720 rate is 21 weeks × $720 = $15,120.
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 |
|---|---|
| Whole person (spine, brain, multiple losses) | 350 |
| Arm | 210 |
| Hand | 189 |
| Leg | 140 |
| Foot | 98 |
| Vision, one eye | 84 |
| Vision, both eyes | 300 |
| Thumb | 76 |
| Index finger | 47 |
| Middle finger | 38 |
| Ring finger | 19 |
| Little finger | 9 |
| Great toe | 18 |
| Hearing, one ear | 30 |
| Hearing, both ears | 123 |
How to evaluate a New Hampshire settlement
- New Hampshire lump-sum settlements must be approved by the Department of Labor at a hearing.
- Whether future medical closes depends on the approved terms.
- 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.
New Hampshire workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official New Hampshire sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 or later (newest DOL notice) | $2,309.00 | $461.74; no more than actual wages |
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Notify your employer as soon as practicable.
- A claim generally must be filed within three years of the injury, subject to statutory exceptions.
New Hampshire benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in New Hampshire?+
New Hampshire pays 60% of your average weekly wage, but never more than 100% of after-tax earnings. The newest Department of Labor rate table lists a $2,309 weekly maximum and $461.74 minimum effective July 1, 2025. If your AWW is at or below the minimum, you receive your full AWW (not over 90% of after-tax earnings). At $1,200 AWW the rate is $720. The Department issues new limits each July 1; confirm the current year's notice.
How do permanent disability benefits work in New Hampshire?+
New Hampshire pays a scheduled permanent impairment award, in a single payment, on top of weekly benefits: percentage of loss × scheduled weeks × your compensation rate. Schedule: arm 210 weeks, hand 189, leg 140, foot 98, one eye 84, thumb 76, index finger 47. Spine, brain, multiple losses and qualifying burns use a 350-week whole-person basis under the AMA Guides 5th edition. A 10% arm at a $720 rate is 21 weeks × $720 = $15,120.
Can a New Hampshire settlement close future medical care?+
New Hampshire lump-sum settlements must be approved by the Department of Labor at a hearing. Whether future medical closes depends on the approved terms.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in New Hampshire?+
Notify your employer as soon as practicable. A claim generally must be filed within three years of the injury, subject to statutory exceptions.
Is the New Hampshire impairment award paid on top of weekly benefits?+
Yes. RSA 281-A:32 makes the scheduled award a separate right, paid in a single payment after maximum medical improvement, in addition to weekly compensation.
Does a soft-tissue back injury get a New Hampshire impairment award?+
Not by itself. The statute excludes soft-tissue spinal injuries unless they cause loss of use of the arms or legs.
Why does New Hampshire have such a high maximum?+
The cap is 150% of the state average weekly wage, giving a $2,309 maximum from July 1, 2025, one of the highest in the country, though the rate is only 60% of wages.
Does surgery guarantee a larger New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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.