How much is an index finger injury worth in Washington workers' comp?
How Washington workers' compensation pays for an index finger injury, the 2026 benefit rates, and what to check before you accept a settlement.
How an index finger injury is paid in Washington
Washington has no body-part schedule. An injury to the index finger is rated as an impairment and paid under the state's general formula: Fixed dollar award: impairment measured against total bodily impairment (a statutory dollar amount, CPI-adjusted yearly), using categories set by L&I rule; not tied to wages.
General rule for permanent injuries in Washington: Fixed dollar award: impairment measured against total bodily impairment (a statutory dollar amount, CPI-adjusted yearly), using categories set by L&I rule; not tied to wages.
What is different in Washington
Washington pays PPD as fixed dollar awards, not weeks of wages, so two workers with the same rating get the same award regardless of pay. Back and neck injuries are placed into numbered impairment categories set by L&I rules.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Washington 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 an index finger injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Washington vs. neighboring states
| State | How an index finger injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Idaho | 70 weeks | $43,698 |
| Oregon | 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 Washington
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | Monthly time-loss as % of gross monthly wages by family status: 60% single, +5% for spouse/registered domestic partner, +2% per dependent child (up to 5), max 75% |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | Not confirmed (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30 (monthly max $9,981.00 = 120% of state average monthly wage)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | Monthly minimum $1,247.62 (15% of state average monthly wage) + $10 for spouse and $10 per dependent child; if gross wages are lower, 100% of wages or the pre-2008 minimum, whichever is higher |
| Waiting period | Not confirmed |
| Waiting days paid back after | 7 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | No fixed week limit in statute |
No weekly calculator for this state: the benefit depends on monthly wages, family size or a figure we could not confirm. Use the official rule above.
Frequently asked questions
How is an index finger injury paid in Washington workers' comp?
Washington has no body-part schedule. An injury to the index finger is rated as an impairment and paid under the state's general formula: Fixed dollar award: impairment measured against total bodily impairment (a statutory dollar amount, CPI-adjusted yearly), using categories set by L&I rule; not tied to wages.
Which law sets these amounts?
RCW 51.32.060, 51.32.090, 51.32.080. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Washington
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: RCW 51.32.060, 51.32.090, 51.32.080; RCW 51.32.080; WAC 296-20-240, 296-20-280
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (official site)
- lni.wa.gov/insurance/_docs/maxtlrates.pdf
- lni.wa.gov/insurance/_docs/CAGTimeLossComp.pdf
- app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=51.32.080
- app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-20-280
- app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-20-240
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Washington 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.