How much is a neck injury worth in Mississippi workers' comp?
How Mississippi workers' compensation pays for a neck injury, the 2026 benefit rates, and what to check before you accept a settlement.
How a neck injury is paid in Mississippi
Not scheduled; paid as body as a whole on loss of wage-earning capacity, up to 450 weeks.
General rule for permanent injuries in Mississippi: 66⅔% of the difference between pre-injury AWW and post-injury wage-earning capacity, up to 450 weeks.
What is different in Mississippi
Scheduled members are paid for a proportionate loss or loss of use of the member, with awards for multiple members running consecutively; body-as-a-whole injuries depend on lost wage-earning capacity rather than an impairment rating. Serious facial or head disfigurement can add up to $5,000.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Mississippi 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 neck injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Mississippi vs. neighboring states
| State | How a neck injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | wage loss | — |
| Alabama | wage loss | — |
| Arkansas | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
| Louisiana | wage loss | — |
| 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 Mississippi
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | Not confirmed |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $25 (secondary) |
| Waiting period | 5 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 450 weeks |
No weekly calculator for this state: the benefit depends on monthly wages, family size or a figure we could not confirm. Use the official rule above.
Frequently asked questions
How is a neck injury paid in Mississippi workers' comp?
Not scheduled; paid as body as a whole on loss of wage-earning capacity, up to 450 weeks.
Is there a waiting period in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi does not pay the first 5 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
Miss. Code 71-3-11, 71-3-13, 71-3-17. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Mississippi
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: Miss. Code 71-3-11, 71-3-13, 71-3-17; Miss. Code Ann. § 71-3-17(c)
- Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission (official site)
- law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/title-71/chapter-3/general-provisions/section-71-3-17/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Mississippi 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.