How much is a neck injury worth in Vermont workers' comp?
Vermont does not use a fixed number of weeks for a neck injury. Your doctor gives a whole-person impairment rating and the award follows the state formula (spine scale, up to 330 weeks).
How a neck injury is paid in Vermont
Cervical spine uses the same enhanced spine scale (60% whole-person = 330 weeks).
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,914 a week, with a minimum of $638 a week (or your full wage if it is lower).
What is different in Vermont
All PPD is based on whole-person impairment under the AMA Guides 5th edition times 330 weeks. Spine injuries get more: a 60% spine rating pays the same 330 weeks as a 100% rating elsewhere.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $17,545 | $22,001 | $29,335 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $35,090 | $44,002 | $58,670 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $52,635 | $66,003 | $88,004 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $87,725 | $110,006 | $146,674 |
Calculate your neck award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Vermont 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 neck injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Vermont vs. neighboring states
| State | How a neck injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont | spine scale, up to 330 weeks | — |
| Massachusetts | wage loss | — |
| New Hampshire | 350 weeks | $808,150 |
| New York | wage loss | — |
"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 Vermont
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of gross AWW plus $20/week per dependent child under 21; total may not exceed 90% of AWW (before COLA) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,914 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (FY 2027)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $638/week (FY 2027); FY 2026 was $612 |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 10 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
Estimate your weekly check
Vermont adds $20 a week per dependent child under 21; this estimate shows the base amount only.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a neck injury worth in Vermont workers' comp?
It depends on your whole-person impairment rating. Vermont pays spine scale, up to 330 weeks; a 10% rating is worth up to $105,270.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a neck injury in Vermont?
Vermont 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 $44,002. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Vermont in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,914 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (FY 2027)).
Is there a waiting period in Vermont?
Yes. Vermont does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 10 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
21 V.S.A. §§ 601(18)-(19), 642, 648, 650. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Vermont
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: 21 V.S.A. §§ 601(18)-(19), 642, 648, 650; 21 V.S.A. § 648
- Vermont Department of Labor, Workers' Compensation Division (official site)
- labor.vermont.gov/minimum-and-maximum-compensation-rates-annual-change
- labor.vermont.gov/sites/labor/files/documents/historicalrates.pdf
- legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/21/009/00642
- legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/21/009/00648
- law.justia.com/codes/vermont/title-21/chapter-9/section-646/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Vermont 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.