How much is a hand injury worth in Rhode Island workers' comp?
Rhode Island pays a scheduled permanent partial disability award for a hand injury: the law sets total loss at 244 weeks.
How a hand injury is paid in Rhode Island
Each week is paid at 50% of your average weekly wage, up to $180 a week, with a minimum of $90 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 61 weeks.
What is different in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's specific compensation for loss or loss of use of body parts is paid on top of wage-loss benefits but at a low flat-ish rate (50% of AWW, $90-$180/week). Permanent disfigurement can also be paid, up to 500 weeks, as a one-time payment.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $4,392 | $4,392 | $4,392 |
| 25% loss of use | $10,980 | $10,980 | $10,980 |
| 50% loss of use | $21,960 | $21,960 | $21,960 |
| 100% loss of use | $43,920 | $43,920 | $43,920 |
Calculate your hand award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Rhode Island 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 hand injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Rhode Island vs. neighboring states
| State | How a hand injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 244 weeks | $43,920 |
| Connecticut | 168 weeks | $288,288 |
| Massachusetts | 34 × the state average weekly wage | $65,364 |
"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 Rhode Island
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 62% of AWW for injuries on/after 2022-01-01 (previously 75% of average weekly spendable base wage) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,622 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | No statutory minimum found |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | Not confirmed |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a hand injury worth in Rhode Island workers' comp?
Rhode Island schedules 244 weeks for total loss, up to $43,920 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 hand injury in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island 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 $10,980. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Rhode Island in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,622 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30).
Is there a waiting period in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island does not pay the first 3 days of lost time.
Which law sets these amounts?
R.I. Gen. Laws §28-33-17 (total incapacity), §28-33-19 (specific injuries). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Rhode Island
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws §28-33-17 (total incapacity), §28-33-19 (specific injuries); R.I. Gen. Laws §28-33-19 (specific compensation); §28-33-18 (partial incapacity)
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Workers' Compensation Division (official site)
- dlt.ri.gov/workers-compensation/insurers-and-adjusters/maximum-compensation-rates
- dlt.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur571/files/2025-09/2025-04%20%20Max%20Compensation%20Rate%20
- dlt.ri.gov/workers-compensation/frequently-asked-questions
- webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-33/28-33-17.htm
- law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-28/chapter-28-33/section-28-33-19/
- webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-33/28-33-18.htm
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Rhode Island 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.