How much is a back injury worth in North Carolina workers' comp?
In North Carolina, a back injury is worth up to $433,800 for total loss (300 weeks, at the $1,446 weekly maximum). With 25% loss of use and a $1,200 weekly wage, the award is about $60,000. That is the statutory award for the permanent injury; medical care and benefits while you are off work are paid separately.
How a back injury is paid in North Carolina
Scheduled: total loss of use of the back = 300 weeks at 66 2/3% of AWW, partial loss paid proportionally; 75% or more loss of use of the back is treated as total industrial disability.
Each week is paid at 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,446 a week, with a minimum of $30 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 75 weeks.
What is different in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of the few states that puts the back on its schedule (300 weeks); a back rating of 75% or more counts as total industrial disability. Scheduled benefits and wage-loss benefits are alternatives, and the worker can pursue whichever is greater.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $16,000 | $24,000 | $32,000 |
| 25% loss of use | $40,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 |
| 50% loss of use | $80,000 | $120,000 | $160,000 |
| 100% loss of use | $160,000 | $240,000 | $320,000 |
Calculate your back 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.
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.
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.
North Carolina vs. neighboring states
| State | How a back injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 300 weeks | $433,800 |
| Georgia | whole-person % × 300 weeks | — |
| South Carolina | 300 weeks | $356,982 |
| Tennessee | whole-person % × 450 weeks | — |
| Virginia | wage loss | — |
"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 North Carolina
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,446 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (injuries in 2026)) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $30 (rises to $50 on 2027-07-01 per G.S. 97-29) |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 21 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 500 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 much is a back injury worth in North Carolina workers' comp?
North Carolina sets 300 weeks for total loss, up to $433,800 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 $60,000.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a back injury in North Carolina?
North Carolina 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 $60,000. 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 North Carolina in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,446 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31, injuries in 2026).
Is there a waiting period in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 21 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-28 (waiting period), §97-29 (total incapacity), §97-31 (schedule); N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-31 (schedule incl. (23) back, (24) other organs); §97-29, §97-30 (total/partial wage loss). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in North Carolina
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-28 (waiting period), §97-29 (total incapacity), §97-31 (schedule); N.C. Gen. Stat. §97-31 (schedule incl. (23) back, (24) other organs); §97-29, §97-30 (total/partial wage loss)
- North Carolina Industrial Commission (official site)
- ic.nc.gov/workers-compensation-claims/maximum-weekly-compensation-rates
- ic.nc.gov/ncic/pages/maxrates.html
- ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-29.html
- ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-31.pdf
- ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-31.html
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the North Carolina 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.