What a workers' comp settlement is worth in 2026
Settlement chart by injury severity (national)
| Severity tier | Typical injuries | Settlement range |
|---|---|---|
| Minor, no surgery | Strains, sprains, contusions, minor lacerations | $2,000 - $15,000 |
| Moderate, no surgery | Herniated disc on injections, mild TBI, hearing loss | $12,000 - $45,000 |
| Single surgery | Rotator cuff repair, meniscus repair, carpal tunnel release | $30,000 - $90,000 |
| Major surgery | Lumbar fusion, knee or shoulder replacement, ORIF fracture | $60,000 - $175,000 |
| Catastrophic | Severe TBI, spinal cord injury, amputation, permanent total | $200,000 - $1,000,000 |
Ranges reflect combined indemnity and medical settlement values across states. Your state's maximum weekly rate and body-part schedule can move the number well outside these bands.
Body parts payout chart (2026)
Scheduled weeks for each body part and what a 10%, 25%, and 100% loss pays at a $1,200 average weekly wage using California's 2026 rate ($800/week).
| Body part | Weeks | 10% payout | 25% payout | 100% loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arm | 312 | $24,961 | $62,403 | $249,612 |
| Shoulder | 312 | $24,961 | $62,403 | $249,612 |
| Leg | 288 | $23,041 | $57,603 | $230,412 |
| Hand | 244 | $19,521 | $48,802 | $195,210 |
| Foot | 205 | $16,401 | $41,002 | $164,008 |
| Eye | 160 | $12,801 | $32,002 | $128,006 |
| Hearing (both ears) | 200 | $16,001 | $40,002 | $160,008 |
| Thumb | 75 | $6,000 | $15,001 | $60,003 |
| Hearing (one ear) | 52 | $4,160 | $10,401 | $41,602 |
| Index finger | 46 | $3,680 | $9,200 | $36,802 |
| Middle finger | 30 | $2,400 | $6,000 | $24,001 |
| Ring finger | 25 | $2,000 | $5,000 | $20,001 |
| Little finger | 15 | $1,200 | $3,000 | $12,001 |
| Back / Spine | 312 | $24,961 | $62,403 | $249,612 |
| Whole person | 500 | $40,002 | $100,005 | $400,020 |
Weeks follow the common schedule used by many states and federal FECA. Your state's statute may list different weeks. Federal employees can use the OWCP schedule award calculator; lower back claims are covered in the L4-L5-S1 settlement guide.
Settlement chart by body part and procedure
The table below runs the statutory formula for each injury type using California's 2026 rates as the baseline example. Open your own state's chart below for state-specific dollars.
| Injury / procedure | Typical impairment | Scheduled weeks | Estimated settlement range |
|---|---|---|---|
Back strain / sprain (no surgery) Conservative care, physical therapy, no surgical intervention. | 2% - 8% | 6 - 25 | $5,741 - $22,964 |
Herniated disc (no surgery) Confirmed disc herniation managed with injections and therapy. | 5% - 12% | 16 - 37 | $15,601 - $37,442 |
Lumbar fusion surgery One or two level fusion with permanent work restrictions. | 15% - 30% | 47 - 94 | $56,163 - $112,326 |
Rotator cuff repair Arthroscopic repair with residual strength and range-of-motion loss. | 8% - 20% | 25 - 62 | $25,960 - $64,899 |
Shoulder replacement (incl. reverse) Total or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with lifting limits. | 20% - 40% | 62 - 125 | $72,388 - $144,775 |
Knee arthroscopy / meniscus repair Scope with partial meniscectomy and residual instability. | 5% - 15% | 14 - 43 | $13,825 - $41,474 |
Total knee replacement Arthroplasty with permanent standing and walking restrictions. | 20% - 40% | 58 - 115 | $66,819 - $133,639 |
Carpal tunnel release One or both hands, with residual grip weakness or numbness. | 5% - 15% | 12 - 37 | $11,225 - $33,674 |
Finger amputation Partial or full loss of a digit, scheduled award. | 50% - 100% | 23 - 46 | $22,081 - $44,162 |
Ankle / foot fracture with hardware ORIF fracture repair with residual gait limitation. | 10% - 25% | 21 - 51 | $21,321 - $53,303 |
Concussion / mild TBI Post-concussive symptoms with cognitive or vestibular treatment. | 3% - 10% | 15 - 50 | $16,201 - $54,003 |
Severe traumatic brain injury Permanent cognitive deficits, often with lifetime medical exposure. | 25% - 60% | 125 - 300 | $180,009 - $432,022 |
Occupational hearing loss (both ears) Noise-induced loss with hearing-aid provision. | 10% - 35% | 20 - 70 | $17,601 - $61,603 |
Settlement charts by state
Each state chart uses that state's 2026 maximum weekly benefit and benefit percentage.
All states
How to calculate your settlement from the chart
- Find your average weekly wage (AWW): gross earnings over the 52 weeks before the injury, divided by 52, including overtime and bonuses.
- Multiply AWW by your state's benefit percentage (most states use 66.67%).
- Cap the result at your state's 2026 maximum weekly benefit.
- Multiply your body part's scheduled weeks by your impairment percentage to get payable weeks.
- Multiply payable weeks by the weekly rate. That is your indemnity value.
- Add unpaid past medical bills and projected future care, including any Medicare set-aside.
Compare your state's cap on the 2026 weekly benefit rates page.
Scheduled vs. Unscheduled Injuries
A scheduled injury involves a body part that state law assigns a fixed number of weeks, such as an arm, hand, leg, foot, eye, or finger. The permanent disability calculation starts with that schedule, then applies the impairment percentage and weekly rate. A 20% hand rating, for example, pays 20% of the weeks assigned to a hand in the applicable state.
Back, neck, brain, and some internal injuries are often unscheduled. Depending on the state, they may be rated to the whole person or valued through loss of earning capacity. Age, education, transferable skills, permanent restrictions, and the difference between pre-injury and post-injury wages can matter more than a body-part schedule. That is why a national chart is a starting point rather than a promise.
- Use the state chart that applies to the place of employment and claim.
- Confirm whether the rating is to a scheduled member or the whole person.
- Keep future medical and unpaid wage benefits separate from the impairment calculation.
- Compare any lump sum with the value of benefits or treatment rights being closed.
Workers' comp settlement chart FAQ
How much is the average workers' comp settlement?+
Nationally, most workers' comp settlements fall between $2,000 and $40,000, with an average around $20,000 to $25,000. Soft-tissue claims with no surgery usually settle in the $2,000 to $15,000 range. Surgical claims - fusion, knee or shoulder replacement, or repair with permanent restrictions - commonly settle between $40,000 and $175,000. Catastrophic claims involving severe brain or spinal injury can exceed $500,000 because future medical care dominates the value.
What is the body parts payout chart for workers' comp?+
A body parts payout chart lists how many weeks of benefits each body part is worth at 100% loss under a state's schedule, for example 312 weeks for an arm, 288 for a leg, 244 for a hand, and 75 for a thumb in states that follow the common schedule. Your payout is scheduled weeks times your impairment percentage times your weekly benefit rate.
Which body part pays the most in workers' comp?+
Among scheduled members, the arm (and shoulder in states that schedule it with the arm) pays the most weeks, followed by the leg, hand, and foot. Back, neck, and brain injuries are usually unscheduled and rated against the whole person, which often produces larger settlements because they affect overall earning capacity.
How do I read a workers' comp settlement chart?+
A settlement chart converts your impairment rating into dollars. Each body part has a statutory number of scheduled weeks. Multiply the scheduled weeks by your impairment percentage to get payable weeks, then multiply by your weekly benefit rate, which is your average weekly wage times your state's benefit percentage, capped at the state maximum. Add past and projected future medical costs to reach the total settlement value.
Why do settlement amounts differ so much between states?+
Two variables drive the difference: the state's maximum weekly benefit and its scheduled weeks per body part. In 2026 the maximum weekly TTD benefit ranges from $637 in Mississippi to $2,350 in Missouri. That is a 3.7x spread on the same injury and the same wage. Body-part schedules also vary by statute, so an identical 20% arm rating can be worth several times more in one state than another.
Does a settlement chart include my medical costs?+
The indemnity portion of the chart covers only wage-loss and permanent disability. If you settle your medical rights along with your indemnity, past unpaid treatment and projected future care are added on top, and a Medicare set-aside may be required if you are Medicare eligible. Future medical is often the largest single component of a surgical or catastrophic settlement.
Will my settlement be higher if I hire an attorney?+
A lawyer can review your average weekly wage, impairment rating, and future medical exposure, and help identify benefits missing from an offer. There is no guaranteed increase from representation. Compare potential recovery after attorney fees, expenses, and other deductions.
Are workers' comp settlements taxable?+
No. Workers' compensation settlements and benefits are exempt from federal income tax under IRC Section 104(a)(1), and states do not tax them either. The exception is if a portion is offset against Social Security Disability benefits, which can make part of your SSDI taxable rather than the comp payment itself.
When will the insurance company offer a settlement?+
Most carriers do not make a serious offer until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and have a permanent impairment rating, typically 6 to 24 months after the injury depending on whether surgery was required. Early offers made before MMI are almost always below value because the future medical component has not yet been priced.
Is the carrier's settlement offer below chart value?
A licensed workers’ compensation lawyer can explain your rights, review disputed benefits, and help you assess a settlement offer. Ask about consultation costs, attorney fees, and expenses before hiring anyone. No result is guaranteed.
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.