Rhode Island Workers' Comp Benefits (2026)
Select the injury-date period before calculating
Static figures and examples show this table's current period. The selector changes calculator maximums and minimums. It does not use the payment date or automatically apply cost-of-living adjustments. For other dates, check with the agency.
| Injury date | Temporary weekly maximum | Permanent weekly maximum, where applicable |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-01 – 2027-09-30 | $1,691 | — |
| 2025-10-01 – 2026-09-30 | $1,622 | — |
How Rhode Island pays injured workers: the weekly rate while you recover, the 2026 maximum, and what each type of permanent injury is worth, with the statute behind each number.
What is different in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's specific compensation for loss or loss of use of body parts is paid on top of wage-loss benefits but at a low flat-ish rate (50% of AWW, $90-$180/week). Permanent disfigurement can also be paid, up to 500 weeks, as a one-time payment.
Weekly benefits while you cannot work
| Weekly rate | 62% of AWW for injuries on/after 2022-01-01 (previously 75% of average weekly spendable base wage) |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,691 (2026-10-01 to 2027-09-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | No statutory minimum confirmed |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | Not confirmed |
| 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.
What each injury is worth
| Injury | How it is paid | Max award |
|---|---|---|
| Back | wage loss | — |
| Neck | wage loss | — |
| Shoulder | depends on how it is rated | — |
| Knee | 312 weeks | $56,160 |
| Arm | 312 weeks | $56,160 |
| Hand | 244 weeks | $43,920 |
| Thumb | 75 weeks | $13,500 |
| Index Finger | 46 weeks | $8,280 |
| Leg | 312 weeks | $56,160 |
| Foot | 205 weeks | $36,900 |
| Big Toe | 38 weeks | $6,840 |
| Eye | 160 weeks | $28,800 |
| Hearing Loss | 244 weeks | $43,920 |
Permanent injuries in general
no whole-body impairment award; partial incapacity pays 62% of the difference between pre- and post-injury weekly wages (injuries from 2022) for up to 312 weeks, with continuation possible after review.
Shoulder: confirm the applicable category first
Rhode Island has no shoulder entry; the arm at or above the elbow is 312 weeks. The statute does not say whether shoulder loss of use is rated against the arm.
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.
The information available here does not by itself establish whether the claim uses an arm rating, a whole-person rating or lost-earnings benefits. Ask the agency or rating issuer to identify the category and the rule or guide used before valuing an offer. Do not enter a shoulder percentage into another rating unit without that confirmation.
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws §28-33-17 (total incapacity), §28-33-19 (specific injuries); R.I. Gen. Laws §28-33-19 (specific compensation); §28-33-18 (partial incapacity)
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Workers' Compensation Division (official site)
- dlt.ri.gov/workers-compensation/insurers-and-adjusters/maximum-compensation-rates
- dlt.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur571/files/2025-09/2025-04%20%20Max%20Compensation%20Rate%20
- dlt.ri.gov/workers-compensation/frequently-asked-questions
- webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-33/28-33-17.htm
- law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-28/chapter-28-33/section-28-33-19/
- webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE28/28-33/28-33-18.htm
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Rhode Island 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.