How much is a back injury worth in Wisconsin workers' comp?
Wisconsin does not use a fixed number of weeks for a back injury. Your doctor gives a whole-person impairment rating and the award follows the state formula (whole-person % × 1000 weeks).
How a back injury is paid in Wisconsin
Unscheduled: rated as a percentage of the body as a whole × 1,000 weeks.
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $454 a week.
What is different in Wisconsin
Back, neck and other unscheduled injuries are rated against 1,000 weeks, and loss of earning capacity can be added on top. If the worker goes back to the same employer, the award is limited to physical impairment unless the actual wage loss is 15% or more.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $22,700 | $22,700 | $22,700 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $45,400 | $45,400 | $45,400 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $68,100 | $68,100 | $68,100 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $113,500 | $113,500 | $113,500 |
Calculate your back award
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Wisconsin 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 back injury helps you judge whether an offer is low.
Wisconsin vs. neighboring states
| State | How a back injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | whole-person % × 1000 weeks | — |
| Illinois | whole-person % × 500 weeks | — |
| Iowa | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Michigan | wage loss | — |
| Minnesota | 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 Wisconsin
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,375 (Injuries on/after 2026-01-01 (calendar year 2026; max weekly wage $2,062.50)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | No statutory minimum found |
| Waiting period | 3 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 much is a back injury worth in Wisconsin workers' comp?
It depends on your whole-person impairment rating. Wisconsin pays whole-person % × 1000 weeks; a 10% rating is worth up to $45,400.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a back injury in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin 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 $45,400. Settlements move up or down from there.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Wisconsin in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,375 (Injuries on/after 2026-01-01 (calendar year 2026; max weekly wage $2,062.50)).
Is there a waiting period in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 7 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
Wis. Stat. §§ 102.43, 102.44, 102.52, 102.55; 2025 Wisconsin Act 145. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Wisconsin
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Wis. Stat. §§ 102.43, 102.44, 102.52, 102.55; 2025 Wisconsin Act 145; Wis. Stat. §§ 102.44(3), (6), 102.52
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Worker's Compensation (official site)
- dwd.wisconsin.gov/wc/letters/insurance/ins-letter-549.htm
- dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/publications/wc/WKC-9572-P.pdf
- dwd.wi.gov/wc/legal/pls-2026-ammendments.htm
- law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/chapter-102/section-102-52
- law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/chapter-102/section-102-44/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Wisconsin 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.