How much is a shoulder injury worth in Hawaii workers' comp?
There is no fixed dollar amount for a shoulder injury in Hawaii. Hawaii's statute lists only 'loss of an arm' (312 weeks) and has no shoulder entry, so it does not say whether a shoulder is rated to the arm or to the whole person. Both use a 312-week base. Below: the exact rule, the 2026 weekly maximum ($1,240) and what to ask for before you accept an offer.
How a shoulder injury is paid in Hawaii
Hawaii's statute lists only 'loss of an arm' (312 weeks) and has no shoulder entry, so it does not say whether a shoulder is rated to the arm or to the whole person. Both use a 312-week base.
General rule for permanent injuries in Hawaii: whole-person impairment % × 312 weeks × the effective maximum weekly benefit rate (award cap), at 66.67% of AWW.
What is different in Hawaii
Unscheduled injuries use the same 312-week base as loss of an arm. The Director may also award up to $30,000 for disfigurement, separately from other PPD.
Shoulder injuries: identify the rating basis
For a rotator-cuff tear, fracture or other shoulder condition, request the final report on range of motion, strength and work restrictions. Check whether the state treats this claim as an arm loss, a whole-person impairment or another category. A shoulder percentage and an arm percentage are not automatically interchangeable.
How to check an offer when there is no fixed figure
This page cannot reliably estimate a permanent award from the injury name and wage alone. The state rule above identifies whether lost earnings, a special rating method or another category applies. To check an offer, request the calculation used, injury date, accepted wage, applicable rating and benefits still outstanding. The weekly calculator below estimates only temporary total disability under its assumptions; it does not value the settlement. See the state benefit overview.
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.
While you recover: temporary disability in Hawaii
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,240 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | Greater of $38 or 25% of the maximum (= $310 for 2026, computed); if AWW is below the minimum, benefit = AWW |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | Not confirmed |
| 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 is a shoulder injury paid in Hawaii workers' comp?
Hawaii's statute lists only 'loss of an arm' (312 weeks) and has no shoulder entry, so it does not say whether a shoulder is rated to the arm or to the whole person. Both use a 312-week base.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Hawaii in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,240 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Is there a waiting period in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii does not pay the first 3 days of lost time.
Which law sets these amounts?
HRS 386-31 (total disability), 386-32 (partial disability schedule), 386-51 (AWW). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Hawaii
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: HRS 386-31 (total disability), 386-32 (partial disability schedule), 386-51 (AWW); HRS 386-32 (partial disability schedule and unscheduled injuries), 386-31
- Disability Compensation Division (DCD), Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (official site)
- labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/files/2025/12/2026-Maximum-Weekly-Wage-Base.pdf
- labor.hawaii.gov/dcd/forms/guidelines/
- law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-21/chapter-386/section-386-31/
- law.justia.com/codes/hawaii/title-21/chapter-386/section-386-32/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Hawaii 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.