How much is a hand injury worth in Louisiana workers' comp?
Louisiana pays a scheduled permanent partial disability award for a hand injury: the law sets total loss at 150 weeks.
How a hand injury is paid in Louisiana
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $903 a week, with a minimum of $241 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 Louisiana
Scheduled PPD is paid only for anatomical loss of use or amputation rated under the latest AMA Guides; other permanent problems are paid through wage-loss SEB. A separate award of up to 100 weeks can cover serious permanent disfigurement or impaired function not on the schedule.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $8,000.40 | $12,001 | $13,545 |
| 25% loss of use | $20,001 | $30,002 | $33,862 |
| 50% loss of use | $40,002 | $60,003 | $67,725 |
| 100% loss of use | $80,004 | $120,006 | $135,450 |
Calculate your hand award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Louisiana 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 hand injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Louisiana vs. neighboring states
| State | How a hand injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 150 weeks | $135,450 |
| Arkansas | 183 weeks | $130,845 |
| Mississippi | 150 weeks | — |
| Texas | 3 weeks per whole-person point | — |
"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 Louisiana
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $903 (2026-09-01 to 2027-08-31 (prior: $877 for 2025-09-01 to 2026-08-31)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $241 (2026-09-01 to 2027-08-31; 20% of SAWW), or actual wages if lower; minimum for 2025-09-01 to 2026-08-31 not confirmed |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 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 hand injury worth in Louisiana workers' comp?
Louisiana schedules 150 weeks for total loss, up to $135,450 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 a hand injury in Louisiana?
Louisiana 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 $30,002. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Louisiana in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $903 (2026-09-01 to 2027-08-31 (prior: $877 for 2025-09-01 to 2026-08-31)).
Is there a waiting period in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
La. R.S. 23:1221 (TTD, PTD, SEB, PPD schedule), 23:1202 (max/min), 23:1224 (waiting period). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Louisiana
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: La. R.S. 23:1221 (TTD, PTD, SEB, PPD schedule), 23:1202 (max/min), 23:1224 (waiting period); La. R.S. 23:1221(3) (SEB), 23:1221(4) (schedule, (4)(p), (4)(q))
- Office of Workers' Compensation Administration (OWCA), Louisiana Workforce Commission (official site)
- legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=83447
- law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/revised-statutes/title-23/rs-23-1221/
- legis.la.gov/legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=83450
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Louisiana 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.