How much is a shoulder injury worth in Arkansas workers' comp?
How Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Arkansas has no shoulder entry. The arm schedule covers loss 'at the elbow, or between the elbow and shoulder' (244 weeks); the statute does not say whether a shoulder joint injury is scheduled or rated to the body as a whole (450 weeks).
General rule for permanent injuries in Arkansas: impairment % × 450 weeks (body as a whole), plus a possible wage-loss factor.
What is different in Arkansas
Wage-loss disability above the impairment rating is barred if the worker has returned to work, found other work, or has a bona fide offer at wages equal to or greater than the pre-injury AWW; the employer carries that burden of proof.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Arkansas 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.
Arkansas vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Louisiana | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Mississippi | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Missouri | 232 weeks | $157,338 |
| Oklahoma | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Tennessee | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
| Texas | 3 weeks per whole-person point | — |
"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 Arkansas
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $953 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $20/week |
| 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
Frequently asked questions
How is a shoulder injury paid in Arkansas workers' comp?
Arkansas has no shoulder entry. The arm schedule covers loss 'at the elbow, or between the elbow and shoulder' (244 weeks); the statute does not say whether a shoulder joint injury is scheduled or rated to the body as a whole (450 weeks).
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Arkansas in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $953 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Is there a waiting period in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas 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?
Ark. Code Ann. §§11-9-501, 11-9-519, 11-9-521, 11-9-522. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Arkansas
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Ark. Code Ann. §§11-9-501, 11-9-519, 11-9-521, 11-9-522; Ark. Code Ann. §§11-9-521, 11-9-522
- Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission (official site)
- labor.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Advisory-2000-1-CY26_formatted.pdf
- law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-11/chapter-9/subchapter-5/section-11-9-501/
- law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-11/chapter-9/subchapter-5/section-11-9-519/
- law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-11/chapter-9/subchapter-5/section-11-9-521/
- law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/title-11/chapter-9/subchapter-5/section-11-9-522/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Arkansas 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.