How much is a shoulder injury worth in Arizona workers' comp?
How Arizona workers' compensation pays for a shoulder injury, the 2026 benefit rates, and what to check before you accept a settlement.
How a shoulder injury is paid in Arizona
Arizona's schedule has no shoulder entry; it lists only the arm (60 months for the major arm, 50 for the minor). The statute does not say whether a shoulder injury is paid on the arm schedule or as an unscheduled injury based on lost earning capacity.
General rule for permanent injuries in Arizona: 55% of the difference between pre-injury average monthly wage and reduced monthly earning capacity, paid monthly.
What is different in Arizona
Arizona's schedule is in months, not weeks, and pays more for the dominant ('major') arm and hand than the minor one. Scheduled awards rise from 50% to 75% of average monthly wage if the worker cannot return to the job held at the time of injury.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Arizona 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 shoulder injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Arizona vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | depends on how it is rated | — |
| California | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Colorado | 208 weeks | — |
| Nevada | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| New Mexico | 200 weeks | $229,332 |
| Utah | 187 weeks | $162,690 |
"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 Arizona
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of average monthly wage (AMW) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $943.23 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | No statutory minimum found |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
Estimate your weekly check
Arizona caps the average monthly wage ($6,131 for 2026); the weekly maximum shown is the equivalent weekly amount.
Frequently asked questions
How is a shoulder injury paid in Arizona workers' comp?
Arizona's schedule has no shoulder entry; it lists only the arm (60 months for the major arm, 50 for the minor). The statute does not say whether a shoulder injury is paid on the arm schedule or as an unscheduled injury based on lost earning capacity.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Arizona in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $943.23 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Is there a waiting period in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
A.R.S. §§23-1041, 23-1044, 23-1045, 23-1062. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Arizona
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: A.R.S. §§23-1041, 23-1044, 23-1045, 23-1062; A.R.S. §23-1044(B), (C)
- Industrial Commission of Arizona (official site)
- azica.gov/claims-amw-statutory-maximum-information-page
- azleg.gov/ars/23/01044.htm
- azleg.gov/ars/23/01062.htm
- secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0452150045
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Arizona 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.