How much is a shoulder injury worth in Connecticut workers' comp?
How Connecticut 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 Connecticut
Connecticut has no separate shoulder entry. The arm schedule covers loss at or above the elbow (208 weeks for the master arm, 194 for the other arm); the statute does not say how a shoulder rating is classified.
General rule for permanent injuries in Connecticut: no general body-as-a-whole rating; organs and spine are on the schedule (e.g. back up to 374 weeks); otherwise 75% of wage difference (partial incapacity) up to 520 weeks.
What is different in Connecticut
Connecticut schedules the spine directly (back up to 374 weeks; cervical spine raised to 208 weeks from July 1, 2025) and pays more for the master arm. Separate partial-incapacity wage-loss benefits at 75% of the wage difference run up to 520 weeks.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Connecticut 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.
Connecticut vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Massachusetts | wage loss | — |
| New York | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Rhode Island | depends on how it is rated | — |
"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 Connecticut
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 75% of after-tax (spendable) AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,716 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $343.20 (20% of max), but not more than 75% of the worker's after-tax AWW |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 7 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 Connecticut workers' comp?
Connecticut has no separate shoulder entry. The arm schedule covers loss at or above the elbow (208 weeks for the master arm, 194 for the other arm); the statute does not say how a shoulder rating is classified.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Connecticut in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,716 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30).
Is there a waiting period in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 7 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§31-295, 31-307, 31-308, 31-309. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Connecticut
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§31-295, 31-307, 31-308, 31-309; Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-308(a), (b)
- Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission (official site)
- portal.ct.gov/wcc/workers-compensation-news/commission-memorandums/2025/memorandum-no-2025
- portal.ct.gov/-/media/wcc/publications/benefit-rate-tables/benefit-rate-table-2025-2026.pd
- law.justia.com/codes/connecticut/title-31/chapter-568/section-31-308/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Connecticut 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.