How much is a shoulder injury worth in North Carolina workers' comp?
How North Carolina 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 North Carolina
North Carolina's schedule (§97-31) has no shoulder entry. The statute does not say whether a shoulder is rated against the arm (240 weeks) or paid another way.
General rule for permanent injuries in North Carolina: no general whole-body schedule: back is scheduled (300 weeks); other permanent injury to important organs or parts not listed may get an award up to $20,000 ($40,000 from July 1, 2027); alternatively wage-loss/total disability benefits if greater.
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.
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 shoulder injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
North Carolina vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Georgia | depends on how it is rated | — |
| South Carolina | 300 weeks | $356,982 |
| Tennessee | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
| Virginia | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
"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 is a shoulder injury paid in North Carolina workers' comp?
North Carolina's schedule (§97-31) has no shoulder entry. The statute does not say whether a shoulder is rated against the arm (240 weeks) or paid another way.
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.