How much is a shoulder injury worth in Pennsylvania workers' comp?
How Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
No shoulder entry; specific loss applies only if there is permanent loss of use of the arm (410 weeks); otherwise paid through wage-loss benefits.
General rule for permanent injuries in Pennsylvania: no impairment-based award; partial disability pays 66 2/3% of the difference between pre-injury wages and post-injury earnings, up to 500 weeks.
What is different in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no award for partial impairment: specific loss benefits require total loss or permanent loss of use of the body part (plus a healing period), and everything else is paid on wage loss.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | wage loss | — |
| Delaware | 250 weeks | $240,680 |
| Maryland | depends on how it is rated | — |
| New Jersey | depends on how it is rated | — |
| New York | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Ohio | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| West Virginia | 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 Pennsylvania
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW (tiered: 90% of AWW for low earners; flat 50% SAWW for middle band) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,394 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | 90% of AWW if AWW <= $774.43; $697 if AWW $774.44-$1,045.50; 66.67% AWW above that (2026) |
| Waiting period | 7 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 Pennsylvania workers' comp?
No shoulder entry; specific loss applies only if there is permanent loss of use of the arm (410 weeks); otherwise paid through wage-loss benefits.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Pennsylvania in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,394 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Is there a waiting period in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
77 P.S. §511 (Act §306(a) TTD), §511.3 (§306(a.3) impairment rating), §512 (§306(b) partial), §513 (§306(c) specific loss), §514 (§306(e) waiting period). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Pennsylvania
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: 77 P.S. §511 (Act §306(a) TTD), §511.3 (§306(a.3) impairment rating), §512 (§306(b) partial), §513 (§306(c) specific loss), §514 (§306(e) waiting period); 77 P.S. §513 (§306(c) specific loss); §512 (§306(b) partial disability); §511.3 (§306(a.3) impairment rating)
- Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation (Department of Labor & Industry) (official site)
- pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/workers-compensation/workers--compensation-claim/sta
- codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-77-ps-workers-compensation/pa-st-sect-77-513.html
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Pennsylvania 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.