How much is a back injury worth in Kansas workers' comp?
Kansas 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 % × 415 weeks).
How a back injury is paid in Kansas
The back is a whole-body injury paid on functional impairment × 415 weeks, with higher work-disability benefits if the impairment and wage-loss thresholds are met.
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $905 a week, with a minimum of $50 a week (or your full wage if it is lower).
What is different in Kansas
Whole-body awards can rise above the impairment rating (work disability) only if impairment is at least 7.5% (10% with a preexisting impairment) and the worker has lost at least 10% of wages. Shoulder injuries are scheduled as part of the arm (225 weeks).
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $11,067 | $16,601 | $18,779 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $22,134 | $33,202 | $37,558 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $33,202 | $49,802 | $56,336 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $55,336 | $83,004 | $93,894 |
Calculate your back award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Kansas 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.
Kansas vs. neighboring states
| State | How a back injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | whole-person % × 415 weeks | — |
| Colorado | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Missouri | whole-person % × 400 weeks | — |
| Nebraska | wage loss | — |
| Oklahoma | whole-person % × 360 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 Kansas
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of average gross weekly wage |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $905 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (prior: $869 for 2025-07-01 to 2026-06-30)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $50 per week (statute) |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 21 days of disability |
| 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 Kansas workers' comp?
It depends on your whole-person impairment rating. Kansas pays whole-person % × 415 weeks; a 10% rating is worth up to $37,558.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a back injury in Kansas?
Kansas 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 $33,202. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Kansas in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $905 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (prior: $869 for 2025-07-01 to 2026-06-30)).
Is there a waiting period in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas 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?
K.S.A. 44-510c (TTD), 44-510d (scheduled PPD), 44-510e (whole body), 44-510f (dollar caps). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Kansas
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: K.S.A. 44-510c (TTD), 44-510d (scheduled PPD), 44-510e (whole body), 44-510f (dollar caps); K.S.A. 44-510d (schedule), 44-510e (whole body)
- Kansas Department of Labor, Division of Workers Compensation (official site)
- ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch44/044_005_0010c.html
- law.justia.com/codes/kansas/chapter-44/article-5/section-44-510c/
- law.justia.com/codes/kansas/chapter-44/article-5/section-44-510d/
- law.justia.com/codes/kansas/chapter-44/article-5/section-44-510f/
- kansastag.gov/DocumentCenter/View/507/Information-for-Injured-Employees-K-WC-27-A-PDF
- law.justia.com/codes/kansas/chapter-44/article-5/section-44-510e/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Kansas 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.