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Maine Workers' Comp Settlement Chart (2026)

Estimated settlement ranges by injury and body part under Maine law, using the 2026 $1,016 weekly cap.

Quick answer

There is no single settlement amount for a Maine work injury. This chart shows modeled estimates, not a measured average of actual settlements. The calculator's reference weekly rate at a $1,200 average weekly wage is $960; permanent disability and settlement rules can use a different rate or method. Review your rating, wage loss, medical rights, and the benefits released before comparing an offer.

Last reviewed: October 2026 · Source: Maine Workers' Compensation Board

Maine 2026 rate snapshot

Wage replacement
80%
Max weekly benefit
$1,016
Min weekly benefit
$50
Weekly rate at $1,200 AWW
$960

Maine settlement chart by injury

Each range below is an illustrative model at a $1,200 average weekly wage, using a simplified wage rate, common reference weeks, assumed impairment ratings, and medical multipliers. It is not a verified Maine statutory award schedule or a record of actual settlements.

Maine 2026 rates, $1,200 average weekly wage. Estimates only.
Injury / procedureTypical impairmentScheduled weeksEstimated settlement range
Back strain / sprain (no surgery)
Conservative care, physical therapy, no surgical intervention.
2% - 8%6 - 25$6,889 - $27,556
Herniated disc (no surgery)
Confirmed disc herniation managed with injections and therapy.
5% - 12%16 - 37$18,720 - $44,928
Lumbar fusion surgery
One or two level fusion with permanent work restrictions.
15% - 30%47 - 94$67,392 - $134,784
Rotator cuff repair
Arthroscopic repair with residual strength and range-of-motion loss.
8% - 20%25 - 62$31,150 - $77,875
Shoulder replacement (incl. reverse)
Total or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with lifting limits.
20% - 40%62 - 125$86,861 - $173,722
Knee arthroscopy / meniscus repair
Scope with partial meniscectomy and residual instability.
5% - 15%14 - 43$16,589 - $49,766
Total knee replacement
Arthroplasty with permanent standing and walking restrictions.
20% - 40%58 - 115$80,179 - $160,358
Carpal tunnel release
One or both hands, with residual grip weakness or numbness.
5% - 15%12 - 37$13,469 - $40,406
Finger amputation
Partial or full loss of a digit, scheduled award.
50% - 100%23 - 46$26,496 - $52,992
Ankle / foot fracture with hardware
ORIF fracture repair with residual gait limitation.
10% - 25%21 - 51$25,584 - $63,960
Concussion / mild TBI
Post-concussive symptoms with cognitive or vestibular treatment.
3% - 10%15 - 50$19,440 - $64,800
Severe traumatic brain injury
Permanent cognitive deficits, often with lifetime medical exposure.
25% - 60%125 - 300$216,000 - $518,400
Occupational hearing loss (both ears)
Noise-induced loss with hearing-aid provision.
10% - 35%20 - 70$21,120 - $73,920

Maine impairment rating payout examples

Worked examples at a $1,200 average weekly wage ($960 per week in Maine). Payable weeks in this model equal common reference weeks times the assumed rating; actual state rules may use a different method.

Maine payout by body part and impairment rating
Body partReference weeks10% rating25% rating100% loss
Thumb75$7,200$18,000$72,000
Index finger46$4,416$11,040$44,160
Hand244$23,424$58,560$234,240
Foot205$19,680$49,200$196,800
Leg288$27,648$69,120$276,480
Arm / shoulder312$29,952$74,880$299,520
Back / spine312$29,952$74,880$299,520

Uses common reference schedule weeks. Maine's own schedule may differ for some body parts.

How settlements work in Maine

  • Approval: Lump-sum settlements must be approved by the Workers' Compensation Board, often at a mediation.
  • Choosing a doctor: Your employer can direct care for the first 10 days. After that, you can choose your own doctor. This matters because the treating doctor usually assigns the impairment rating that drives your payout.
  • Waiting period: 7 days before wage-loss benefits start, paid back if you are out more than 14 days.
  • Deadlines: notify your employer within 30 days; file with the state within 2 years from the date of injury.
  • Agency: Maine Workers' Compensation Board

What moves a Maine settlement up or down

  • Your average weekly wage, and whether overtime, bonuses, and second-job income were included.
  • Whether your weekly rate is capped at $1,016 - high earners lose leverage above the cap.
  • The impairment rating assigned at Maximum Medical Improvement, and who assigned it.
  • Projected future medical care and whether a Medicare set-aside is required.
  • Whether compensability or causation is disputed by the carrier.
  • Your ability to return to the same job in Maine at the same wage.
Important: Workers' comp calculations vary significantly by state, employer, and insurance carrier. These are estimates only. A lawyer can review your circumstances and explain your options; a higher settlement is not guaranteed.

Maine settlement chart FAQ

General guidance, not a legal valuation. Verify current rules with the official state agency; tax guidance follows IRS Publication 525.

What is the average workers' comp settlement in Maine?+

This Maine chart does not establish a measured average settlement. Its ranges are modeled examples using an assumed $1,200 average weekly wage, reference schedule weeks, impairment assumptions, and medical multipliers—not a database of actual Maine settlements. A specific offer depends on the benefits available under state law, medical needs, wage loss, disputed issues, and the rights being released.

How do I use the Maine workers' comp settlement chart?+

Use the Maine chart to compare illustrative injury scenarios, not to look up a guaranteed payout. Identify the injury, then check your actual wage rate, rating, benefit category, and state-specific disability method. The table uses common reference weeks rather than a verified Maine schedule for every body part. Medical multipliers are modeling assumptions, not treatment quotes or legal entitlements.

How is a Maine workers' comp settlement calculated?+

Maine permanent disability must be valued using the applicable state method, which may involve scheduled loss, impairment, or reduced earning capacity. The full settlement also depends on unpaid benefits, future wage loss, medical rights if legally settleable, and disputed issues. Do not assume the TTD weekly rate or a generic weeks-times-rating formula determines every permanent award.

What is a 10% impairment rating worth in Maine?+

A 10% impairment rating does not have one fixed dollar value in Maine. Its meaning depends on whether it applies to a body part or the whole person, the governing rating system, injury date, and permanent disability rules. A scheduled-award illustration would multiply the applicable PPD weekly rate by the state's scheduled weeks and 0.10, but only if that method actually applies. The reference table on this page is not a verified state-specific award calculation.

Does a judge have to approve a Maine workers' comp settlement?+

Lump-sum settlements must be approved by the Workers' Compensation Board, often at a mediation. The agreement's scope matters: check which benefits it releases, whether medical care remains available, and whether any reopening rights survive. Confirm the current procedure with Maine Workers' Compensation Board before signing.

Will a Maine workers' comp settlement close future medical care?+

A Maine settlement may preserve or release medical rights depending on the agreement and state law. Read the medical provisions before comparing dollar offers. If you take responsibility for future treatment, consider documented expected costs rather than the chart's generic medical multiplier.

What is the difference between TTD and a permanent disability award in Maine?+

Temporary total disability (TTD) replaces qualifying wages while you cannot work during recovery. Permanent disability benefits address lasting impairment or loss of earning capacity under Maine law. The categories can use different rates, caps, and calculation methods. Past TTD checks, a permanent award, and a negotiated settlement are not interchangeable amounts and should not automatically be added together.

What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Maine?+

The calculator lists $1,016 per week as its reference TTD maximum for Maine. This is not a maximum settlement amount, and it may not be the correct rate for permanent disability. Maine's wage-loss formula can depend on the injury date and may use gross or after-tax earnings. This calculator's 80% factor is a simplified reference, not a substitute for the applicable statutory calculation. Check the injury-date rate notice and benefit category with Maine Workers' Compensation Board.

When will the insurer offer a settlement in my Maine claim?+

There is no guaranteed settlement-offer date in Maine. Medical stability and permanent disability assessment often help the parties evaluate future exposure, but a disputed claim may be negotiated at another stage. Treatment, disputed liability, records, negotiations, and required approval all affect timing. An early or late offer is not automatically below or above a fair value.

How do I know whether my Maine settlement offer is fair?+

Compare the offer with the benefits and rights you would retain without settling, not just the chart range. Review wage calculations, the medical rating, work restrictions, unpaid benefits, future treatment, and any disputed liability. Check fees, expenses, offsets, and what you will receive after deductions. A Maine attorney can explain the legal tradeoffs, but representation does not guarantee a larger payment.

Does surgery guarantee a larger workers' comp settlement in Maine?+

No. Surgery alone does not determine a Maine workers' compensation award or settlement. Lasting impairment, work capacity, covered medical needs, and state benefit rules matter. A successful operation with little residual disability can produce a different outcome from an injury requiring long-term care; the surgery label in this chart is an illustrative scenario, not a minimum payout.

Are workers' comp settlements taxable in Maine?+

Maine workers' compensation settlements paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or sickness are generally excluded from federal income tax under IRC Section 104(a)(1). This does not make all injury-related payments tax-free: wages earned after returning to work, certain retirement payments, and payments outside workers' compensation may be treated differently. IRS Publication 525 also explains that the portion replacing Social Security benefits reduced by a workers' compensation offset is treated as Social Security benefits for tax purposes. Check state tax treatment and any allocation in your agreement with a tax professional.

Can I claim pain and suffering in a Maine workers' comp settlement?+

Maine statutory workers' compensation benefits generally do not include a separate pain-and-suffering award. They address covered medical care, wage loss, and permanent disability under state law. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but it requires its own legal assessment and can involve reimbursement or credit rights; do not add lawsuit damages to this comp chart.

Do I need an attorney to settle a Maine workers' comp claim?+

An attorney is not generally required for every Maine claim, but representation can affect settlement procedures and approval requirements. A lawyer can review the rating, wage records, future care, released rights, and disputed benefits. Ask about applicable fee approval and expenses before hiring; neither a consultation nor representation guarantees a settlement or higher payout.

What are the deadlines for a Maine workers' comp claim?+

Maine's general traumatic-injury guidance lists employer notice as 30 days and claim filing as 2 years from the date of injury. These are separate requirements: an employer's accident report may not protect your right to file a claim. Occupational disease, repetitive trauma, prior benefit payments, and other exceptions can change the deadline or its starting date. Report promptly and confirm your specific dates with the Maine Workers' Compensation Board.

Where can I verify Maine settlement rules and benefit rates?+

Use the Maine Workers' Compensation Board's official website at https://www.maine.gov/wcb/ to check current forms, rate notices, and settlement procedures. Confirm the rules effective for your injury date and benefit type. This chart is an educational model, not an agency-approved valuation or an individualized legal opinion.

Is your Maine 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.

Settlement charts in states near Maine

Back to the national settlement chart →

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.