How much is a back injury worth in Massachusetts 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 | $2,007.20 | — |
| 2025-10-01 – 2026-09-30 | $1,922.48 | — |
There is no fixed dollar amount for a back injury in Massachusetts. The back is not on the Sec. 36 specific-loss schedule, so a back injury is paid through Sec. 35 partial-incapacity (wage-loss) benefits. Sec. 36(j) also allows a 'loss of bodily function' lump sum of up to 32 × the state average weekly wage. Below: the exact rule, the 2026 weekly maximum ($2,007.20) and what to ask for before you accept an offer.
How a back injury is paid in Massachusetts
The back is not on the Sec. 36 specific-loss schedule, so a back injury is paid through Sec. 35 partial-incapacity (wage-loss) benefits. Sec. 36(j) also allows a 'loss of bodily function' lump sum of up to 32 × the state average weekly wage.
General rule for permanent injuries in Massachusetts: No impairment-rating award for the body as a whole; ongoing partial incapacity is paid under Sec. 35 at 60% of the difference between pre-injury AWW and post-injury earning capacity.
What is different in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not pay weeks per body part: Sec. 36 specific-loss awards are a one-time lump sum equal to the state average weekly wage times a statutory multiplier, paid on top of weekly wage-loss benefits. Disfigurement awards (up to $15,000) are limited to the face, neck or hands when purely scar-based.
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.
Massachusetts vs. neighboring states
| State | How a back injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | wage loss | — |
| Connecticut | 374 weeks | $439,450 |
| New Hampshire | whole-person % × 350 weeks | $81,305 at a 10% rating |
| New York | wage loss | — |
| Rhode Island | wage loss | — |
| Vermont | whole-person spine % × 550 weeks | $105,270 at a 10% rating |
"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 Massachusetts
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 60% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $2,007.20 (2026-10-01 to 2027-09-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $401.44; or actual wage if lower |
| Waiting period | 5 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 21 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 156 weeks |
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 Massachusetts workers' comp?
The back is not on the Sec. 36 specific-loss schedule, so a back injury is paid through Sec. 35 partial-incapacity (wage-loss) benefits. Sec. 36(j) also allows a 'loss of bodily function' lump sum of up to 32 × the state average weekly wage.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Massachusetts in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,922.48 (2025-10-01 to 2026-09-30).
Is there a waiting period in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts does not pay the first 5 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 21 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
M.G.L. c. 152 ss. 29, 34, 35, 36, 1(10). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Massachusetts
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: M.G.L. c. 152 ss. 29, 34, 35, 36, 1(10); M.G.L. c. 152 §§ 35, 36 (incl. 36(i) partial loss, 36(j) bodily function, 36(k) disfigurement)
- Department of Industrial Accidents (official site)
- mass.gov/info-details/minimum-and-maximum-compensation-rates
- law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/part-i/title-xxi/chapter-152/section-34/
- law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/part-i/title-xxi/chapter-152/section-29/
- law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/part-i/title-xxi/chapter-152/section-36/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Massachusetts 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.