How much is a shoulder injury worth in Missouri workers' comp?
In Missouri, a shoulder injury is worth up to $157,338 for total loss (232 weeks, at the $1,294.71 weekly maximum). With 25% loss of use and a $1,200 weekly wage, the award is about $39,334. That is the statutory award for the permanent injury; medical care and benefits while you are off work are paid separately.
How a shoulder injury is paid in Missouri
Scheduled as the arm at the shoulder: percentage loss of use × 232 weeks.
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $678.18 a week, with a minimum of $40 a week (or your full wage if it is lower).
If your doctor rates a partial loss of use, the award is generally that percentage of the scheduled weeks. A 25% rating works out to 58 weeks.
What is different in Missouri
Missouri rates proportionate loss of use of a member against schedule points at specific joints (arm at shoulder 232, at elbow 210; leg at hip 207, at knee 160), and non-scheduled injuries against 400 weeks; scheduled weeks rise 10% where loss of the member is total.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $12,373.33 | $15,733.78 | $15,733.78 |
| 25% loss of use | $30,933.33 | $39,334.44 | $39,334.44 |
| 50% loss of use | $61,866.67 | $78,668.88 | $78,668.88 |
| 100% loss of use | $123,733.33 | $157,337.76 | $157,337.76 |
Calculate your shoulder 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.
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.
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.
Missouri vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 232 weeks | $157,338 |
| Arkansas | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Illinois | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Iowa | 400 weeks | $894,800 |
| Kansas | 225 weeks | $203,625 |
| Kentucky | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| Nebraska | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Oklahoma | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Tennessee | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
"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 Missouri
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,294.71 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $40 |
| Waiting period | 3 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 much is a shoulder injury worth in Missouri workers' comp?
Missouri sets 232 weeks for total loss, up to $157,338 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 weekly wage, about $39,334.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a shoulder injury in Missouri?
Missouri 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 weekly wage, about $39,334. 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 Missouri in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,294.71 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30).
Is there a waiting period in Missouri?
Yes. Missouri does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
RSMo 287.160, 287.170, 287.190; RSMo § 287.190. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Missouri
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: RSMo 287.160, 287.170, 287.190; RSMo § 287.190
- Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation (official site)
- labor.mo.gov/media/21711/download
- codes.findlaw.com/mo/title-xviii-labor-and-industrial-relations/mo-rev-st-287-190/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Missouri 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.