How much is a shoulder injury worth in Georgia workers' comp?
How Georgia 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 Georgia
No separate shoulder entry in the schedule; the statute does not say whether a shoulder is rated to the arm (225 weeks) or the body as a whole (300 weeks).
General rule for permanent injuries in Georgia: impairment % (AMA Guides 5th ed.) × 300 weeks ('disability to the body as a whole') at the TTD rate (66.67% of AWW).
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.
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 a shoulder injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Georgia vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Alabama | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Florida | whole-person %, 2–6 weeks per point | — |
| North Carolina | depends on how it is rated | — |
| South Carolina | 300 weeks | $356,982 |
| 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 is a shoulder injury paid in Georgia workers' comp?
No separate shoulder entry in the schedule; the statute does not say whether a shoulder is rated to the arm (225 weeks) or the body as a whole (300 weeks).
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.