How much is a shoulder injury worth in New Hampshire workers' comp?
How New Hampshire workers' compensation pays for a shoulder injury, the 2026 benefit rates, and what to check before you accept a settlement.
How a shoulder injury is paid in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no shoulder entry. The arm is 210 weeks; the statute does not say directly whether a shoulder is rated against the arm or on the 350-week whole-person basis.
General rule for permanent injuries in New Hampshire: Whole-person impairment % (AMA Guides 5th ed.) × 350 weeks × comp rate, paid as a single lump sum; used for spine injuries and multiple permanent losses.
What is different in New Hampshire
The permanent impairment award is a separate benefit paid in one lump sum after maximum medical improvement, and ratings must use the AMA Guides 5th edition. Spine ratings based only on soft-tissue injury are excluded unless an arm or leg loses function.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Maine | wage loss | — |
| Massachusetts | wage loss | — |
| Vermont | whole-person % × 330 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 New Hampshire
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 60% of AWW, not to exceed 100% of after-tax (net) earnings |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $2,309 (2025-07-01 to 2026-06-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $461.74 |
| 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 is a shoulder injury paid in New Hampshire workers' comp?
New Hampshire has no shoulder entry. The arm is 210 weeks; the statute does not say directly whether a shoulder is rated against the arm or on the 350-week whole-person basis.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in New Hampshire in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $2,309 (2025-07-01 to 2026-06-30).
Is there a waiting period in New Hampshire?
Yes. New Hampshire 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?
RSA 281-A:22, 281-A:28, 281-A:31-a, 281-A:32. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in New Hampshire
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: RSA 281-A:22, 281-A:28, 281-A:31-a, 281-A:32; RSA 281-A:32 (I-IX), 281-A:28
- New Hampshire Department of Labor (official site)
- gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/xxiii/281-a/281-a-32.htm
- secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0452120160
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the New Hampshire 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.