How much is a knee injury worth in Alabama workers' comp?
Alabama pays a scheduled permanent partial disability award for a knee injury: the law sets total loss at 200 weeks (a knee injury is rated as a partial loss of use of the leg).
How a knee injury is paid in Alabama
Rated as partial loss of use of the leg (200 weeks), proportionate to the loss of use.
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $220 a week.
If your doctor rates a partial loss of use, the award is generally that percentage of the scheduled weeks. A 25% rating works out to 50 weeks.
What is different in Alabama
Alabama pays scheduled members (arm 222 weeks, leg 200 weeks) proportionally to the loss of use; injuries off the schedule are paid on actual wage loss, not on an impairment percentage. Permanent total disability cannot be paid as a lump sum without both employer and employee consent.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $4,400 | $4,400 | $4,400 |
| 25% loss of use | $11,000 | $11,000 | $11,000 |
| 50% loss of use | $22,000 | $22,000 | $22,000 |
| 100% loss of use | $44,000 | $44,000 | $44,000 |
Calculate your knee award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Alabama law sets. Many claims end in a negotiated settlement instead. Insurers usually start from the statutory award for your rating, then adjust for disputed ratings, future medical care, how long wage-loss benefits could run and the risk of a hearing. Knowing the statutory number for a knee injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Alabama vs. neighboring states
| State | How a knee injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 200 weeks (as the leg) | $44,000 |
| Florida | whole-person %, 2–6 weeks per point | — |
| Georgia | 225 weeks (as the leg) | $180,000 |
| Mississippi | 175 weeks (as the leg) | — |
| Tennessee | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
"Max for total loss" applies to body-part schedules at the top weekly rate. Compare all 50 states and D.C.
While you recover: temporary disability in Alabama
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,219 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | 27.5% of state AWW (or actual wage if lower); $322 for injuries 2025-07-01 to 2026-06-30; 2026-27 dollar figure not confirmed |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 21 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a knee injury worth in Alabama workers' comp?
Alabama schedules 200 weeks for total loss, up to $44,000 at the top weekly rate. A partial loss is paid as a share of that, based on your doctor's rating and your wage.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a knee injury in Alabama?
Alabama does not publish an official average. The best benchmark is the statutory award for your rating: for example, a 25% loss of use at a $1,200 weekly wage works out to about $11,000. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Alabama in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,219 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30).
Is there a waiting period in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 21 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
Ala. Code §§25-5-57, 25-5-59, 25-5-68. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Alabama
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: Ala. Code §§25-5-57, 25-5-59, 25-5-68; Ala. Code §25-5-57(a)(3)
- law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-25/chapter-5/article-3/section-25-5-57/
- law.justia.com/codes/alabama/title-25/chapter-5/article-3/section-25-5-68/
- secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0452150045
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Alabama workers' compensation agency.
Estimate only. Your real award depends on your doctor's rating, your wage records, offsets and settlement terms. This page is general information, not legal advice.