How much is a shoulder injury worth in South Dakota workers' comp?
How South 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 South Dakota
South Dakota does not list the shoulder separately. The statute does not say whether it is rated to the arm (200 weeks) or to the body as a whole (312 weeks).
General rule for permanent injuries in South Dakota: Impairment % of the body as a whole × 312 weeks at the TTD rate (66.67% of AWW).
What is different in South Dakota
PPD is paid by applying the doctor's impairment percentage to the weeks listed for the body part, or to 312 weeks for the body as a whole. Employers in South Dakota are not legally required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what South 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.
South Dakota vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Iowa | 400 weeks | $894,800 |
| Minnesota | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Montana | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Nebraska | depends on how it is rated | — |
| North Dakota | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Wyoming | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
"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 Dakota
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW (AWW includes overtime hours at straight-time pay) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,152 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (FY 2027)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $576/week, or the worker's AWW (less standard deductions) if lower |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 7 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 South Dakota workers' comp?
South Dakota does not list the shoulder separately. The statute does not say whether it is rated to the arm (200 weeks) or to the body as a whole (312 weeks).
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in South Dakota in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,152 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (FY 2027)).
Is there a waiting period in South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 7 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
SDCL ch. 62-4 (e.g., §§ 62-4-3, 62-4-6). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in South Dakota
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: SDCL ch. 62-4 (e.g., §§ 62-4-3, 62-4-6); SDCL ch. 62-4 (§ 62-4-6)
- South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, Division of Labor and Management (official site)
- dlr.sd.gov/workers_compensation/rates.aspx
- dlr.sd.gov/workers_compensation/publications/wclawguide_brochure.pdf
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the South 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.