How much is a shoulder injury worth in South Carolina workers' comp?
South Carolina pays a scheduled permanent partial disability award for a shoulder injury: the law sets total loss at 300 weeks.
How a shoulder injury is paid in South Carolina
The shoulder has its own schedule entry of 300 weeks, separate from the arm (220 weeks).
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,189.94 a week, with a minimum of $75 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 75 weeks.
What is different in South Carolina
Back injuries are scheduled at 300 weeks, but a back loss of use of 50% or more is rated against 500 weeks and presumed to be permanent total disability (rebuttable). A worker may instead be paid wage-loss partial disability (66.67% of lost earnings) for up to 340 weeks.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $16,001 | $24,001 | $32,002 |
| 25% loss of use | $40,002 | $60,003 | $80,004 |
| 50% loss of use | $80,004 | $120,006 | $160,008 |
| 100% loss of use | $160,008 | $240,012 | $320,016 |
Calculate your shoulder award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what South 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.
South Carolina vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 300 weeks | $356,982 |
| Georgia | depends on how it is rated | — |
| North Carolina | 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 South Carolina
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,189.94 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (calendar year; based on SC average weekly wage for FY ending 2025-06-30)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $75/week, or the worker's full AWW if AWW is below $75 |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 500 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a shoulder injury worth in South Carolina workers' comp?
South Carolina schedules 300 weeks for total loss, up to $356,982 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 shoulder injury in South Carolina?
South Carolina 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 $60,003. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in South Carolina in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,189.94 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (calendar year; based on SC average weekly wage for FY ending 2025-06-30)).
Is there a waiting period in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina 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?
S.C. Code Ann. §§ 42-9-10, 42-9-20, 42-9-30, 42-9-200. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in South Carolina
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: S.C. Code Ann. §§ 42-9-10, 42-9-20, 42-9-30, 42-9-200; S.C. Code Ann. §§ 42-9-20, 42-9-30(21)-(22)
- South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission (official site)
- wcc.sc.gov/sites/wcc/files/Documents/Update.News/Advisory%20Notice/Advisory%20Notice_Updat
- wcc.sc.gov/news/2025-12/commission-approves-2026-maximum-weekly-compensation-rate
- scstatehouse.gov/code/t42c009.php
- law.justia.com/codes/south-carolina/title-42/chapter-9/section-42-9-30/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the South 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.