How much is a back injury worth in Hawaii workers' comp?
Hawaii does not use a fixed number of weeks for a back injury. Your doctor gives a whole-person impairment rating and the award follows the state formula (whole-person % × 312 weeks).
How a back injury is paid in Hawaii
The back is not scheduled; it is paid as a percentage of the whole person (312 weeks).
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,240 a week, with a minimum of $310 a week (or your full wage if it is lower).
What is different in Hawaii
Unscheduled injuries use the same 312-week base as loss of an arm. The Director may also award up to $30,000 for disfigurement, separately from other PPD.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $8,320.42 | $12,481 | $16,641 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $16,641 | $24,961 | $33,282 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $24,961 | $37,442 | $49,922 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $41,602 | $62,403 | $83,204 |
Calculate your back award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Hawaii 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 back injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
While you recover: temporary disability in Hawaii
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,240 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | Greater of $38 or 25% of the maximum (= $310 for 2026, computed); if AWW is below the minimum, benefit = AWW |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | Not confirmed |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a back injury worth in Hawaii workers' comp?
It depends on your whole-person impairment rating. Hawaii pays whole-person % × 312 weeks; a 10% rating is worth up to $38,688.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a back injury in Hawaii?
Hawaii does not publish an official average. The best benchmark is the statutory award for your rating: for example, a 10% whole-person rating at a $1,200 weekly wage works out to about $24,961. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Hawaii in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,240 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Is there a waiting period in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii does not pay the first 3 days of lost time.
Which law sets these amounts?
HRS 386-31 (total disability), 386-32 (partial disability schedule), 386-51 (AWW). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Hawaii
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: HRS 386-31 (total disability), 386-32 (partial disability schedule), 386-51 (AWW); HRS 386-32 (partial disability schedule and unscheduled injuries), 386-31
- Disability Compensation Division (DCD), Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (official site)
- labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/files/2025/12/2026-Maximum-Weekly-Wage-Base.pdf
- labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/forms/guidelines/
- law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-21/chapter-386/section-386-31/
- law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-21/chapter-386/section-386-32/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Hawaii 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.