How much is a back injury worth in Michigan workers' comp?
There is no fixed dollar amount for a back injury in Michigan. Not in the specific-loss schedule; paid only as weekly wage-loss benefits if the injury reduces earning capacity. Below: the exact rule, the 2026 weekly maximum ($1,201) and what to ask for before you accept an offer.
How a back injury is paid in Michigan
Not in the specific-loss schedule; paid only as weekly wage-loss benefits if the injury reduces earning capacity.
General rule for permanent injuries in Michigan: No impairment-rating award; non-scheduled permanent injuries are paid as ongoing weekly wage-loss benefits at 80% of after-tax AWW.
What is different in Michigan
Michigan has no impairment-rating PPD award: the specific-loss schedule pays a fixed number of weeks at the weekly comp rate for amputation or loss of use of listed members, and everything else is paid only as wage-loss benefits.
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 Michigan
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 80% of after-tax (spendable) AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,201 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | No general minimum (minimums apply only to specific loss and death claims) - secondary |
| Waiting period | Not confirmed |
| 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 back injury paid in Michigan workers' comp?
Not in the specific-loss schedule; paid only as weekly wage-loss benefits if the injury reduces earning capacity.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Michigan in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,201 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Which law sets these amounts?
MCL 418.301, 418.311, 418.355, 418.361. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Michigan
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: MCL 418.301, 418.311, 418.355, 418.361; MCL 418.301, 418.361
- Workers' Disability Compensation Agency (official site)
- michigan.gov/leo/-/media/Project/Websites/leo/Documents/WDCA-Calculation-Program/wca_2026_
- legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-418-301
- legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-418-355
- codes.findlaw.com/mi/chapter-418-workers-disability-compensation/mi-comp-laws-418-361/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Michigan 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.