How much is a shoulder injury worth in North Dakota workers' comp?
How North Dakota 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 Dakota
No shoulder or arm amputation entry; rated as whole-body impairment and paid through the multiplier table.
General rule for permanent injuries in North Dakota: whole-body impairment % (AMA Guides, 6th ed.) converted to a statutory multiplier (14% = 10, 25% = 35, 50% = 260, 100% = 1500); award = multiplier × 35% of the state average weekly wage; no award below 14%.
What is different in North Dakota
North Dakota pays no permanent impairment award unless the whole-body rating is at least 14%; the award is a one-time amount, not a periodic payment. Amputations such as the leg at the hip (234) or at/above the knee (195) have fixed multipliers.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what North Dakota 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 Dakota vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Minnesota | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Montana | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| South Dakota | depends on how it is rated | — |
"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 Dakota
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of gross AWW (not to exceed net/spendable wages after federal income tax and Social Security) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,614 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $775 (60% SAWW), or net wages if lower |
| Waiting period | 5 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 5 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 North Dakota workers' comp?
No shoulder or arm amputation entry; rated as whole-body impairment and paid through the multiplier table.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in North Dakota in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,614 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30).
Is there a waiting period in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota does not pay the first 5 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 5 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
N.D.C.C. §65-05-09 (TTD), §65-05-12.2 (permanent impairment), §65-05-09.3 (retirement limits). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in North Dakota
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: N.D.C.C. §65-05-09 (TTD), §65-05-12.2 (permanent impairment), §65-05-09.3 (retirement limits); N.D.C.C. §65-05-12.2
- North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) (official site)
- workforcesafety.com/about-wsi/reports/north-dakota-weekly-benefit-levels
- workforcesafety.com/employees/benefits-services/wage-loss-benefits
- ndlegis.gov/cencode/t65c05.pdf
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the North Dakota 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.