North Dakota Workers' Comp Benefits (2026)

Arm injury

North Dakota's schedule has no separate entry for the arm. Permanent injuries that are not on the schedule are paid under the general rule: whole-body impairment % (AMA Guides, 6th ed.) converted to a statutory multiplier (14% = 10, 25% = 35, 50% = 260, 100% = 1500); award = multiplier × 35% of the state average weekly wage; no award below 14%.

Arm injuries: distinguish arm, hand and whole-person ratings

Ask which anatomical level and rating unit the doctor used. Records of elbow motion, grip, nerve function and lifting restrictions may describe different aspects of the injury. Confirm whether the award uses the arm schedule or a whole-person formula before entering a percentage; do not add overlapping ratings yourself.

Back injury

Rated as whole-body impairment under the AMA Guides and paid through the impairment multiplier table.

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.

Big Toe injury

North Dakota's rule for the weekly rate on these awards: 35% of SAWW x permanent impairment multiplier (lump-sum style award).

Big-toe injuries: use the correct toe category

Confirm that the report concerns the great toe and identifies any amputation level or partial loss of use. The rule for other toes may differ. Keep findings about balance, push-off when walking and footwear restrictions, and verify the rating unit before using a percentage.

Eye injury

North Dakota's rule for the weekly rate on these awards: 35% of SAWW x permanent impairment multiplier (lump-sum style award).

Eye injuries: confirm one eye, both eyes and the vision measure

Obtain the ophthalmology report and ask how corrected vision and other lasting visual effects were measured for the rating. One-eye and two-eye losses are different scenarios. The figure on this page is not a valuation of every kind of vision problem or a combined award for both eyes.

Foot injury

North Dakota's schedule has no separate entry for the foot. Permanent injuries that are not on the schedule are paid under the general rule: whole-body impairment % (AMA Guides, 6th ed.) converted to a statutory multiplier (14% = 10, 25% = 35, 50% = 260, 100% = 1500); award = multiplier × 35% of the state average weekly wage; no award below 14%.

Foot injuries: distinguish the foot from toes and the leg

For a fracture, crush injury or lasting ankle symptoms, request the report specifying the rated member. Walking tolerance, footwear needs and weight-bearing restrictions help explain the functional effects. Do not assume a toe percentage is a foot percentage or that an ankle diagnosis automatically uses the foot schedule.

Hand injury

North Dakota's schedule has no separate entry for the hand. Permanent injuries that are not on the schedule are paid under the general rule: whole-body impairment % (AMA Guides, 6th ed.) converted to a statutory multiplier (14% = 10, 25% = 35, 50% = 260, 100% = 1500); award = multiplier × 35% of the state average weekly wage; no award below 14%.

Hand injuries: document function and the affected member

Identify whether the report rates the entire hand, individual digits or an upper extremity. Keep findings about grip, sensation and dexterity, plus restrictions on tools or repetitive tasks. An isolated finger award and a hand award may follow different rules; this page does not calculate combinations of injuries.

Hearing Loss injury

North Dakota's schedule has no separate entry for hearing loss in both ears. Permanent injuries that are not on the schedule are paid under the general rule: whole-body impairment % (AMA Guides, 6th ed.) converted to a statutory multiplier (14% = 10, 25% = 35, 50% = 260, 100% = 1500); award = multiplier × 35% of the state average weekly wage; no award below 14%.

Hearing loss: check the audiogram and whether both ears are rated

Request the audiogram and the report explaining the hearing-loss percentage, which ear or ears it covers and how work-related exposure was assessed. Do not enter a one-ear rating into a two-ear formula. Tinnitus and hearing loss are not interchangeable inputs, and this calculator does not determine the medical rating.

Index Finger injury

North Dakota's rule for the weekly rate on these awards: 35% of SAWW x permanent impairment multiplier (lump-sum style award).

Index-finger injuries: verify the digit and loss level

The index finger is not interchangeable with another digit. Ask whether the report describes stiffness, tendon or nerve damage, or an amputation at a specific level. Verify whether the percentage is expressed for the finger, hand or whole person before applying the formula shown here.

Knee injury

Rated as whole-body impairment via the multiplier table; loss of the leg at or above the knee has a fixed multiplier of 195.

North Dakota's rule for the weekly rate on these awards: 35% of SAWW x permanent impairment multiplier (lump-sum style award).

Knee injuries: confirm whether the rating is for the leg

For a meniscus tear, ligament injury or knee replacement, obtain the final rating report and any restrictions on standing, kneeling and walking. Confirm the body part to which the percentage applies. If the rule uses a leg schedule, the calculation needs the applicable leg loss-of-use rating, not a guessed percentage based on the procedure.

Leg injury

North Dakota's rule for the weekly rate on these awards: 35% of SAWW x permanent impairment multiplier (lump-sum style award).

Leg injuries: confirm the member and lasting restrictions

Ask whether the report covers the leg, a particular joint or the whole person. Keep findings about walking, balance, limb length and restrictions on standing or lifting. Multiple injuries to the same limb need the applicable combination rules; adding their percentages can overstate the award.

Neck injury

Rated as whole-body impairment under the AMA Guides and paid through the impairment multiplier table.

Neck injuries: check the cervical findings

Ask whether the rating report addresses the cervical spine alone or also documents arm symptoms and neurological findings. Keep the imaging report, treatment history and restrictions on lifting or turning your head. Do not enter an arm rating into a whole-person field without the applicable conversion.

Shoulder injury

No shoulder or arm amputation entry; rated as whole-body impairment and paid through the multiplier table.

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.

Thumb injury

North Dakota's rule for the weekly rate on these awards: 35% of SAWW x permanent impairment multiplier (lump-sum style award).

Thumb injuries: check loss of use versus amputation

Request the report describing the thumb joint or amputation level, remaining motion and ability to pinch. Total loss and partial loss of use are different inputs. Check the thumb-specific rule below; a thumb rating should not be substituted for a hand or whole-person rating without the required conversion.