How much is a shoulder injury worth in Pennsylvania workers' comp?
There is no fixed dollar amount for a shoulder injury in Pennsylvania. No shoulder entry; specific loss applies only if there is permanent loss of use of the arm (410 weeks); otherwise paid through wage-loss benefits. Below: the exact rule, the 2026 weekly maximum ($1,394) and what to ask for before you accept an offer.
How a shoulder injury is paid in Pennsylvania
No shoulder entry; specific loss applies only if there is permanent loss of use of the arm (410 weeks); otherwise paid through wage-loss benefits.
General rule for permanent injuries in Pennsylvania: no impairment-based award; partial disability pays 66 2/3% of the difference between pre-injury wages and post-injury earnings, up to 500 weeks.
What is different in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no award for partial impairment: specific loss benefits require total loss or permanent loss of use of the body part (plus a healing period), and everything else is paid on wage loss.
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.
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.
Pennsylvania vs. neighboring states
| State | How a shoulder injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | wage loss | — |
| Delaware | 250 weeks | $240,680 |
| Maryland | depends on how it is rated | — |
| New Jersey | depends on how it is rated | — |
| New York | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Ohio | impairment rating (see rule) | — |
| West Virginia | depends on how it is rated | — |
"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 Pennsylvania
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW (tiered: 90% of AWW for low earners; flat 50% SAWW for middle band) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,394 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | 90% of AWW if AWW <= $774.43; $697 if AWW $774.44-$1,045.50; 66.67% AWW above that (2026) |
| Waiting period | 7 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 is a shoulder injury paid in Pennsylvania workers' comp?
No shoulder entry; specific loss applies only if there is permanent loss of use of the arm (410 weeks); otherwise paid through wage-loss benefits.
What is the maximum weekly workers' comp benefit in Pennsylvania in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,394 (2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
Is there a waiting period in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania does not pay the first 7 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
77 P.S. §511 (Act §306(a) TTD), §511.3 (§306(a.3) impairment rating), §512 (§306(b) partial), §513 (§306(c) specific loss), §514 (§306(e) waiting period). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Pennsylvania
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: 77 P.S. §511 (Act §306(a) TTD), §511.3 (§306(a.3) impairment rating), §512 (§306(b) partial), §513 (§306(c) specific loss), §514 (§306(e) waiting period); 77 P.S. §513 (§306(c) specific loss); §512 (§306(b) partial disability); §511.3 (§306(a.3) impairment rating)
- Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers' Compensation (Department of Labor & Industry) (official site)
- pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/workers-compensation/workers--compensation-claim/sta
- codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-77-ps-workers-compensation/pa-st-sect-77-513.html
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Pennsylvania 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.