How much is a back injury worth in Minnesota workers' comp?
How Minnesota workers' compensation pays for a back injury, the 2026 benefit rates, and what to check before you accept a settlement.
How a back injury is paid in Minnesota
Rated as a percentage of the whole body under the PPD rating rules and paid from the statutory dollar table.
General rule for permanent injuries in Minnesota: Whole-body impairment % (per the commissioner's rating rules) × a dollar amount from the tiered statutory table; max 100% of the whole body.
What is different in Minnesota
Every PPD injury is converted to a whole-body percentage and paid from one statutory dollar table, either as a lump sum within 30 days if the worker requests it (discount up to 5%) or in installments at the TTD rate.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Minnesota 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.
Minnesota vs. neighboring states
| State | How a back injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Iowa | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| North Dakota | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| South Dakota | whole-person % × 312 weeks | — |
| Wisconsin | whole-person % × 1000 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 Minnesota
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,536.84 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $307.37 (20% of max) or actual weekly wage if less |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 10 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 130 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How is a back injury paid in Minnesota workers' comp?
Rated as a percentage of the whole body under the PPD rating rules and paid from the statutory dollar table.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Minnesota in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,536.84 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30).
Is there a waiting period in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 10 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
Minn. Stat. 176.101, 176.121. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Minnesota
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Minn. Stat. 176.101, 176.121; Minn. Stat. § 176.101 subd. 2a; § 176.105
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Workers' Compensation Division (official site)
- dli.mn.gov/business/workers-compensation/work-comp-rate-information-statewide-average-week
- dli.mn.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/comprates.pdf
- revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/176.121/pdf
- codes.findlaw.com/mn/labor-industry-ch-175-189/mn-st-sect-176-101/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Minnesota 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.