How much is a back injury worth in Connecticut workers' comp?
Select the injury-date period before calculating
Static figures and examples show this table's current period. The selector changes calculator maximums and minimums. It does not use the payment date or automatically apply cost-of-living adjustments. For other dates, check with the agency.
| Injury date | Temporary weekly maximum | Permanent weekly maximum, where applicable |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 – 2027-09-30 | $1,776 | $1,175 |
| 2025-10-01 – 2026-09-30 | $1,716 | $1,220 |
For temporary disability, enter the weekly compensation rate already calculated from the official table, not your wage. That table uses gross wages and tax status. For permanent benefits use statutory after-tax wages from the official calculation, not your paycheck take-home amount.
In Connecticut, a back injury is worth up to $439,450 for total loss (374 weeks, at the $1,776 weekly maximum). With 25% loss of use and a $1,200 after-tax weekly wage, the award is about $84,150. That is the statutory award for the permanent injury; medical care and benefits while you are off work are paid separately.
How a back injury is paid in Connecticut
The formula uses 374 weeks × the applicable rating × weekly rate. For the current period, that rate is 75% of statutory after-tax wages, with a $1,175 maximum. The permanent-component minimum is $50; the total-disability maximum does not apply.
Scheduled: the proportion of incapacity × a maximum of 374 weeks, paid regardless of wage loss.
What is different in Connecticut
Connecticut schedules the spine directly (back up to 374 weeks; cervical spine raised to 208 weeks from July 1, 2025) and pays more for the master arm. Separate partial-incapacity wage-loss benefits at 75% of the wage difference run up to 520 weeks.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 after-tax weekly wage | $1,200 after-tax weekly wage | $1,600 after-tax weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $22,440 | $33,660 | $43,945 |
| 25% loss of use | $56,100 | $84,150 | $109,862.50 |
| 50% loss of use | $112,200 | $168,300 | $219,725 |
| 100% loss of use | $224,400 | $336,600 | $439,450 |
Calculate your back award
Compare only the same benefit component on the same gross basis. If an offer includes medical care, temporary benefits or other rights, do not enter it here. The balance subtracts payments for this same benefit only, not fees or other offsets.
The result is the statutory permanent award only. Medical care, temporary benefits and fees are not included. Use the exact rating from the medical report: a body-part rating and a whole-person rating are not interchangeable.
Back injuries: information needed to value the claim
Separate the diagnosis (for example, a strain, disc injury or surgery) from the permanent rating. Ask for the medical report identifying the spinal region, any nerve involvement, lasting work restrictions and whether maximum medical improvement has been reached. A diagnosis or surgery alone is not a dollar amount.
Settlement value vs. the statutory award
The statutory benefit described here and a settlement value are different figures. Request an itemized proposal identifying the benefits included, amounts already paid, deductions, future medical treatment and rights being resolved. Which benefits can be settled and what approval is required depend on state rules. This page does not calculate future medical costs or predict a negotiated outcome.
Connecticut vs. neighboring states
| State | How a back injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 374 weeks | $439,450 |
| Massachusetts | wage loss | — |
| New York | wage loss | — |
| Rhode Island | 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 Connecticut
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 75% of after-tax (spendable) AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,776 (2026-10-01 to 2027-09-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $355.20; subject to the 75% weekly-wage limit |
| 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
Assumes temporary total disability and no post-injury work earnings. It does not calculate partial disability, retroactive payments, offsets or special low-wage rules. Confirm the injury date and the insurer's wage calculation.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a back injury worth in Connecticut workers' comp?
Connecticut sets 374 weeks for total loss, up to $439,450 at the top weekly rate. A partial loss is paid in proportion to your doctor's rating: with 25% loss of use and a $1,200 after-tax weekly wage, about $84,150.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a back injury in Connecticut?
Connecticut does not publish an official average settlement. The best benchmark is the statutory award for your rating: with 25% loss of use and a $1,200 after-tax weekly wage, about $84,150. A settlement can be higher or lower depending on future medical care, disputed ratings and which other benefits it closes.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Connecticut in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,776 (2026-10-01 to 2027-09-30).
Is there a waiting period in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut 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?
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§31-295, 31-307, 31-308, 31-309; Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-308(a), (b). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Connecticut
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§31-295, 31-307, 31-308, 31-309; Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-308(a), (b)
- Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission (official site)
- portal.ct.gov/wcc/workers-compensation-news/commission-memorandums/2025/memorandum-no-2025
- portal.ct.gov/-/media/wcc/publications/benefit-rate-tables/benefit-rate-table-2025-2026.pd
- law.justia.com/codes/connecticut/title-31/chapter-568/section-31-308/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Connecticut 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.