How much is a shoulder injury worth in Wyoming workers' comp?
How Wyoming 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 Wyoming
No schedule; rated by AMA Guides impairment % × 60 months.
General rule for permanent injuries in Wyoming: Permanent Partial Impairment: AMA Guides impairment % × 60 months, paid monthly at 2/3 of the state average monthly wage; a separate wage-loss PPD award is possible.
What is different in Wyoming
Wyoming's impairment award is measured in months (impairment % × 60 months) and paid at a rate tied to the state average wage, not the worker's own wage. A worker who can't return to work earning at least 95% of pre-injury earnings, and is actively looking for work, can apply for an extra wage-loss disability award.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The figures on this page are what Wyoming 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.
Wyoming vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Colorado | 208 weeks | — |
| Idaho | 300 weeks | $187,275 |
| Montana | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Nebraska | depends on how it is rated | — |
| South Dakota | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Utah | 187 weeks | $162,690 |
"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 Wyoming
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | Monthly: greater of 2/3 of actual monthly earnings or 30% of the statewide average monthly wage (SAMW), capped at the lesser of actual earnings or SAMW; 70% of actual monthly earnings (max 103% SAMW) for workers receiving services in Wyoming under § 27-14-403(k) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | Not confirmed |
| Minimum weekly benefit | 30% of SAMW per month (limited to actual earnings) |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 8 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 24 months cumulative (about 104 weeks), extendable in extraordinary circumstances |
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 a shoulder injury paid in Wyoming workers' comp?
No schedule; rated by AMA Guides impairment % × 60 months.
Is there a waiting period in Wyoming?
Yes. Wyoming does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 8 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
Wyo. Stat. §§ 27-14-403, 27-14-404, 27-14-405. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Wyoming
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Wyo. Stat. §§ 27-14-403, 27-14-404, 27-14-405; Wyo. Stat. § 27-14-405
- Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Workers' Compensation (official site)
- law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/title-27/chapter-14/article-4/section-27-14-403/
- codes.findlaw.com/wy/title-27-labor-and-employment/wy-st-sect-27-14-404/
- law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/title-27/chapter-14/article-4/section-27-14-405/
- wyocourts.gov/app/uploads/2025/05/A-Guide-to-WC-for-Claimants.pdf
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Wyoming 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.