How much is a shoulder injury worth in Texas workers' comp?
Texas does not use a fixed number of weeks for a shoulder injury. Your doctor gives a whole-person impairment rating and the award follows the state formula (3 weeks per whole-person point).
How a shoulder injury is paid in Texas
No schedule; the rating is converted to whole-body impairment and paid at 3 weeks per point.
Each week is paid at 70% of your average weekly wage, up to $890 a week, with a minimum of $191 a week (or your full wage if it is lower).
What is different in Texas
Texas has no body-part schedule: IIBs start the day after maximum medical improvement and pay 3 weeks per impairment point. Workers rated 15% or more who have not returned to work, or earn less than 80% of their AWW because of the impairment, can get Supplemental Income Benefits, unless they commuted part of their IIBs.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $8,400 | $12,600 | $13,350 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $16,800 | $25,200 | $26,700 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $25,200 | $37,800 | $40,050 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $42,000 | $63,000 | $66,750 |
Calculate your shoulder award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Texas 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.
Texas vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 3 weeks per whole-person point | — |
| Arkansas | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Louisiana | depends on how it is rated | — |
| New Mexico | 200 weeks | $229,332 |
| Oklahoma | 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 Texas
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 70% of AWW (75% for the first 26 weeks if pre-injury wage was under $8.50/hour); TIBs are 70% of the difference between AWW and post-injury earnings |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,271 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30 (FY 2026; SAWW $1,271.05)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $191/week (15% of SAWW, FY 2026) |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 104 weeks |
Estimate your weekly check
Frequently asked questions
How much is a shoulder injury worth in Texas workers' comp?
It depends on your whole-person impairment rating. Texas pays 3 weeks per whole-person point; a 10% rating is worth up to $26,700.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a shoulder injury in Texas?
Texas 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 $25,200. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Texas in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,271 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30 (FY 2026; SAWW $1,271.05)).
Is there a waiting period in Texas?
Yes. Texas 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?
Tex. Lab. Code §§ 408.061, 408.062, 408.082, 408.101-408.105, 408.121-408.123, 408.141 et seq.; 28 TAC §§ 129.1-129.11. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Texas
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: Tex. Lab. Code §§ 408.061, 408.062, 408.082, 408.101-408.105, 408.121-408.123, 408.141 et seq.; 28 TAC §§ 129.1-129.11; Tex. Lab. Code §§ 408.121, 408.142
- Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (official site)
- tdi.texas.gov/wc/employee/benefits.html
- capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/83R/handouts/C0402013021910301/a2e8968d-00b9-4dff-91da-86263c910
- law.justia.com/codes/texas/labor-code/title-5/subtitle-a/chapter-408/subchapter-g/section-
- law.justia.com/codes/texas/labor-code/title-5/subtitle-a/chapter-408/subchapter-h/section-
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Texas 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.