How much is a knee injury worth in North Carolina workers' comp?
North Carolina pays a scheduled permanent partial disability award for a knee injury: the law sets total loss at 200 weeks (a knee injury is rated as a partial loss of use of the leg).
How a knee injury is paid in North Carolina
Rated as partial loss of use of the leg (200 weeks); no knee-specific entry.
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,446 a week, with a minimum of $30 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 50 weeks.
What is different in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of the few states that puts the back on its schedule (300 weeks); a back rating of 75% or more counts as total industrial disability. Scheduled benefits and wage-loss benefits are alternatives, and the worker can pursue whichever is greater.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $10,667 | $16,001 | $21,334 |
| 25% loss of use | $26,668 | $40,002 | $53,336 |
| 50% loss of use | $53,336 | $80,004 | $106,672 |
| 100% loss of use | $106,672 | $160,008 | $213,344 |
Calculate your knee award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what North Carolina 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 knee injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
North Carolina vs. neighboring states
| State | How a knee injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 200 weeks (as the leg) | $289,200 |
| Georgia | 225 weeks (as the leg) | $180,000 |
| South Carolina | 195 weeks (as the leg) | $232,038 |
| Tennessee | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
| Virginia | 175 weeks (as the leg) | $263,727 |
"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 North Carolina
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,446 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (injuries in 2026)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $30 (rises to $50 on 2027-07-01 per G.S. 97-29) |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 21 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 500 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a knee injury worth in North Carolina workers' comp?
North Carolina schedules 200 weeks for total loss, up to $289,200 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 knee injury in North Carolina?
North Carolina 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 $40,002. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in North Carolina in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,446 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (injuries in 2026)).
Is there a waiting period in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 21 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-28 (waiting period), §97-29 (total incapacity), §97-31 (schedule). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in North Carolina
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-28 (waiting period), §97-29 (total incapacity), §97-31 (schedule); N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-31 (schedule incl. (23) back, (24) other organs); §97-29, §97-30 (total/partial wage loss)
- North Carolina Industrial Commission (official site)
- ic.nc.gov/workers-compensation-claims/maximum-weekly-compensation-rates
- ic.nc.gov/ncic/pages/maxrates.html
- ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-29.html
- ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-31.pdf
- ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-31.html
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the North Carolina 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.