How much is hearing loss worth in Georgia workers' comp?
Georgia pays a scheduled permanent partial disability award for hearing loss: the law sets total loss at 150 weeks.
How hearing loss is paid in Georgia
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $800 a week, with a minimum of $50 a week (or your full wage if it is lower).
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 37.5 weeks.
What is different in Georgia
PPD (impairment) benefits are not payable while the worker is receiving TTD or TPD; they start once those end and stop again if the worker returns to temporary disability. All ratings must use the AMA Guides, 5th edition.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $8,000.40 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| 25% loss of use | $20,001 | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| 50% loss of use | $40,002 | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| 100% loss of use | $80,004 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
Calculate your hearing loss award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Georgia 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 hearing loss helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Georgia vs. neighboring states
| State | How hearing loss is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 150 weeks | $120,000 |
| Alabama | 163 weeks | $35,860 |
| Florida | whole-person %, 2–6 weeks per point | — |
| North Carolina | 150 weeks | $216,900 |
| South Carolina | 165 weeks | $196,340 |
| 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 Georgia
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW (gross, 13 weeks before accident) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $800 (Injuries on or after 2023-07-01 (still current per SBWC summary revised 2025-07-01: 'No benefit rate changes in 2024/2025')) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $50 (or actual AWW if lower) |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 21 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 400 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is hearing loss worth in Georgia workers' comp?
Georgia schedules 150 weeks for total loss, up to $120,000 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 hearing loss in Georgia?
Georgia 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 $30,000. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Georgia in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $800 (Injuries on or after 2023-07-01 (still current per SBWC summary revised 2025-07-01: 'No benefit rate changes in 2024/2025')).
Is there a waiting period in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 21 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
O.C.G.A. 34-9-261 (TTD), 34-9-262 (TPD), 34-9-263 (PPD schedule), 34-9-220 (waiting period), 34-9-200.1 (400-week cap). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Georgia
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: O.C.G.A. 34-9-261 (TTD), 34-9-262 (TPD), 34-9-263 (PPD schedule), 34-9-220 (waiting period), 34-9-200.1 (400-week cap); O.C.G.A. 34-9-263(b)(2), (c), (d); 34-9-261; 34-9-262
- State Board of Workers' Compensation (official site)
- sbwc.georgia.gov/document/publication/provisionspdf/download
- sbwc.georgia.gov/publications-fee-schedules-and-forms/publications/benefits-information
- law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-34/chapter-9/article-7/section-34-9-263/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Georgia 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.