How much is a back injury worth in Louisiana workers' comp?
There is no fixed dollar amount for a back injury in Louisiana. The back is not on the schedule (which covers only anatomical loss of use or amputation); back injuries are paid through wage-loss Supplemental Earnings Benefits. Below: the exact rule, the 2026 weekly maximum ($903) and what to ask for before you accept an offer.
How a back injury is paid in Louisiana
The back is not on the schedule (which covers only anatomical loss of use or amputation); back injuries are paid through wage-loss Supplemental Earnings Benefits.
General rule for permanent injuries in Louisiana: no whole-body impairment award; unscheduled injuries are paid as Supplemental Earnings Benefits = 66 2/3% of the full pre-/post-injury monthly earnings gap, when earning capacity is below 90% of pre-injury wages, up to 520 weeks.
What is different in Louisiana
Scheduled PPD is paid only for anatomical loss of use or amputation rated under the latest AMA Guides; other permanent problems are paid through wage-loss SEB. A separate award of up to 100 weeks can cover serious permanent disfigurement or impaired function not on the schedule.
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.
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 Louisiana
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $903 (2026-09-01 to 2027-08-31 (prior: $877 for 2025-09-01 to 2026-08-31)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $241 (2026-09-01 to 2027-08-31; 20% of SAWW), or actual wages if lower; minimum for 2025-09-01 to 2026-08-31 not confirmed |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 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 is a back injury paid in Louisiana workers' comp?
The back is not on the schedule (which covers only anatomical loss of use or amputation); back injuries are paid through wage-loss Supplemental Earnings Benefits.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Louisiana in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $903 (2026-09-01 to 2027-08-31 (prior: $877 for 2025-09-01 to 2026-08-31)).
Is there a waiting period in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
La. R.S. 23:1221 (TTD, PTD, SEB, PPD schedule), 23:1202 (max/min), 23:1224 (waiting period). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Louisiana
Supplemental earnings benefits (SEB): worked illustration
The 90% threshold concerns the earnings condition, not the calculation base. With pre-injury monthly wages of $4,000 and post-injury earning capacity of $3,000, the illustration is 2/3 × ($4,000 − $3,000) = $666.67 monthly before limits and adjustments. Do not subtract from 90% of $4,000. This tool illustrates that formula only; it does not decide causation, earning capacity, eligibility or duration.
Law and official sources
Includes secondary sources
Statute: La. R.S. 23:1221 (TTD, PTD, SEB, PPD schedule), 23:1202 (max/min), 23:1224 (waiting period); La. R.S. 23:1221(3) (SEB), 23:1221(4) (schedule, (4)(p), (4)(q))
- Office of Workers' Compensation Administration (OWCA), Louisiana Workforce Commission (official site)
- legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=83447
- law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/revised-statutes/title-23/rs-23-1221/
- legis.la.gov/legis/LawPrint.aspx?d=83450
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Louisiana 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.