Workers comp settlement calculator

Estimates only. Settlement values depend heavily on state law, your specific injury, and negotiation. This calculator provides a general range for planning purposes only. A workers compensation attorney evaluates your actual claim value. See our full disclaimer.

Settlement value estimator

Wages and medical costs

Average weekly wage before injury ($)

Weeks missed from work

Total medical costs so far ($) Include all treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and prescriptions related to the injury.

Injury severity

Permanent impairment rating, if known A doctor assigns this rating after you reach maximum medical improvement.

Can you return to your previous job?

Your estimated settlement range

Get a free settlement value review

Insurers routinely offer less than a claim is actually worth. A workers compensation attorney reviews your full claim and negotiates on your behalf at no upfront cost.

How are workers comp settlements actually calculated?

Settlements generally add up 3 components: your accrued medical costs, lost wages during recovery, and compensation for any permanent impairment. Temporary disability payments usually run around two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to a state maximum. Permanent impairment adds a separate lump sum based on a doctor-assigned rating once you reach maximum medical improvement.

The rating itself has a large effect on total value - even a modest increase in impairment percentage can meaningfully raise a settlement, which is why disputes over the rating are common. If your injury was also caused in part by a non-employer party, a third-party claim could add compensation beyond what a comp settlement alone provides. And if your injury is severe enough to also affect your ability to work long-term, check your SSDI eligibility as a possible parallel benefit.

Why do settlement values vary so much?

State law sets very different formulas and maximum benefit amounts, so identical injuries can settle for meaningfully different amounts depending on where you live. Your specific job, wage level, and whether you can return to any work also drive a large part of the variation - someone permanently unable to return to their occupation generally settles higher than someone who returns with only minor restrictions.

What's the difference between a lump-sum settlement and ongoing benefits?

A lump-sum settlement closes your claim in exchange for a single payment, often at a discount compared to the total value of ongoing weekly benefits, but with the certainty of an immediate payment and no further disputes. Ongoing (structured) benefits continue on a schedule but leave your claim open, which can mean continued disputes over your condition. Which option is better depends heavily on your specific situation and future medical needs.

Should you accept the insurer's first settlement offer?

Rarely without review. Initial offers are frequently below what a claim is actually worth, especially before you've reached maximum medical improvement, since your final impairment rating isn't yet known. Settling too early can leave significant value on the table if your condition turns out to be more serious than initially assessed.

Frequently asked questions about workers comp settlements

Simple claims can settle in a few months, but most meaningful settlements happen only after you reach maximum medical improvement, which can take 6 months to over a year depending on the injury. Rushing to settle before your condition stabilizes risks accepting less than your eventual impairment rating would justify.

In many states, yes - a medical-only or indemnity settlement doesn't have to end your employment. Some settlement agreements, however, include a resignation clause, particularly if returning to your previous role isn't feasible with your restrictions. Read any settlement agreement closely, or have an attorney review it, before signing anything related to your employment status.

Generally no. Workers compensation benefits, including settlements, are typically exempt from federal and state income tax, unlike many personal injury settlements which can have taxable components depending on how damages are categorized. Confirm with a tax professional if your settlement includes any unusual components.

This depends entirely on the type of settlement. A "full and final" settlement typically closes your claim permanently, including future medical treatment, so you cannot reopen it even if your condition worsens. Some settlements leave medical benefits open. Understanding exactly what you're giving up is critical before agreeing to any settlement type.

Not legally required, but insurers negotiate settlements every day and most injured workers do not. Studies and industry data consistently show represented claimants settle for meaningfully more than unrepresented ones, even after accounting for attorney fees, which are typically a percentage of the settlement and only owed if you receive a payout.