How much is a back injury worth in Oklahoma workers' comp?
Oklahoma does not use a fixed number of weeks for a back injury. Your doctor gives a whole-person impairment rating and the award follows the state formula (whole-person % × 360 weeks).
How a back injury is paid in Oklahoma
Not scheduled; paid as body-as-a-whole impairment: rating × 360 weeks.
Each week is paid at 70% of your average weekly wage, up to $375 a week.
What is different in Oklahoma
Oklahoma pays PPD at 70% of wages but with a low weekly cap ($375 for injuries from July 1, 2025), and the whole body is worth a maximum of 360 weeks.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $6,750 | $6,750 | $6,750 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $13,500 | $13,500 | $13,500 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $20,250 | $20,250 | $20,250 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $33,750 | $33,750 | $33,750 |
Calculate your back award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Oklahoma 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 back injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Oklahoma vs. neighboring states
| State | How a back injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | whole-person % × 360 weeks | — |
| Arkansas | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
| Colorado | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Kansas | whole-person % × 415 weeks | — |
| Missouri | whole-person % × 400 weeks | — |
| New Mexico | whole-person % × 500 weeks | — |
| Texas | 3 weeks per whole-person point | — |
"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 Oklahoma
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 70% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,128.66 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | No statutory minimum found |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | Not confirmed |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 156 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a back injury worth in Oklahoma workers' comp?
It depends on your whole-person impairment rating. Oklahoma pays whole-person % × 360 weeks; a 10% rating is worth up to $13,500.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a back injury in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma does not publish an official average. The best benchmark is the statutory award for your rating: for example, a 10% whole-person rating at a $1,200 weekly wage works out to about $13,500. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Oklahoma in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,128.66 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Is there a waiting period in Oklahoma?
Yes. Oklahoma does not pay the first 3 days of lost time.
Which law sets these amounts?
85A O.S. §45 (TTD/PPD), §46 (PPD schedule). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Oklahoma
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: 85A O.S. §45 (TTD/PPD), §46 (PPD schedule); 85A O.S. §45(C) (PPD, 360-week whole body), §46 (schedule)
- Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Commission (official site)
- wcc.ok.gov/Home/Components/News/News/16/17?arch=1
- law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/title-85a/section-85a-45
- law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/title-85a/section-85a-46/
- law.justia.com/codes/oklahoma/title-85a/section-85a-45/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Oklahoma 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.