How much is a thumb injury worth in Pennsylvania workers' comp?
In Pennsylvania, a thumb injury is worth up to $139,400 for total loss (100 weeks, at the $1,394 weekly maximum). Pennsylvania pays this award only for amputation or total loss of use; with a $1,200 weekly wage, it is $80,000. That is the statutory award for the permanent injury; medical care and benefits while you are off work are paid separately.
How a thumb injury is paid in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania pays these weeks at your compensation rate: 90% of your wage if you earn $774.43 a week or less, a flat $697 between $774.44 and $1,045.50, and 66.67% above that, up to $1,394 a week.
Pennsylvania pays scheduled awards only for amputation or total (permanent) loss of use. Partial loss of use is paid through wage-loss benefits instead.
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.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% loss of use | $69,700 | $80,000 | $106,666.67 |
Calculate your thumb 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.
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.
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 thumb injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 100 weeks | $139,400 |
| Delaware | 75 weeks | $72,204 |
| Maryland | 100 weeks | — |
| New Jersey | 80 weeks | — |
| New York | 75 weeks | $96,112 |
| Ohio | 60 weeks | $76,860 |
| West Virginia | 80 weeks | $64,451 |
"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 much is a thumb injury worth in Pennsylvania workers' comp?
Pennsylvania sets 100 weeks for total loss, up to $139,400 at the top weekly rate.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a thumb injury in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not publish an official average settlement. The best benchmark is the statutory award for your rating. 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 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); 77 P.S. §513 (§306(c) specific loss); §512 (§306(b) partial disability). 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.