How much is a shoulder injury worth in Missouri workers' comp?
Missouri pays a scheduled permanent partial disability award for a shoulder injury: the law sets total loss at 232 weeks.
How a shoulder injury is paid in Missouri
Scheduled as the arm at the shoulder: percentage loss of use × 232 weeks.
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $678.18 a week, with a minimum of $40 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 58 weeks.
What is different in Missouri
Missouri rates proportionate loss of use of a member against schedule points at specific joints (arm at shoulder 232, at elbow 210; leg at hip 207, at knee 160), and non-scheduled injuries against 400 weeks; scheduled weeks rise 10% where loss of the member is total.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $12,374 | $15,734 | $15,734 |
| 25% loss of use | $30,935 | $39,334 | $39,334 |
| 50% loss of use | $61,870 | $78,669 | $78,669 |
| 100% loss of use | $123,740 | $157,338 | $157,338 |
Calculate your shoulder award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Missouri 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 shoulder injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Missouri vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 232 weeks | $157,338 |
| Arkansas | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Illinois | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Iowa | 400 weeks | $894,800 |
| Kansas | 225 weeks | $203,625 |
| Kentucky | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Nebraska | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Oklahoma | depends on how it is rated | — |
| 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 Missouri
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,294.71 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $40 |
| Waiting period | 3 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 shoulder injury worth in Missouri workers' comp?
Missouri schedules 232 weeks for total loss, up to $157,338 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 shoulder injury in Missouri?
Missouri 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 $39,334. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Missouri in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,294.71 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30).
Is there a waiting period in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
RSMo 287.160, 287.170, 287.190. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Missouri
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: RSMo 287.160, 287.170, 287.190; RSMo § 287.190
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation (official site)
- labor.mo.gov/media/21711/download
- codes.findlaw.com/mo/title-xviii-labor-and-industrial-relations/mo-rev-st-287-190/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Missouri 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.