How much is an arm injury worth in Rhode Island workers' comp?
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 | — |
In Rhode Island, an arm injury is worth up to $56,160 for total loss (312 weeks). With 25% loss of use and a $1,200 weekly wage, the award is about $14,040. That is the statutory award for the permanent injury; medical care and benefits while you are off work are paid separately.
How an arm injury is paid in Rhode Island
The formula uses 312 weeks × the applicable rating × weekly rate. For the current period, that rate is 50% of the accepted weekly wage, with a $180 maximum. This tool calculates the statutory component, not a complete settlement.
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.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% loss of use | $5,616 | $5,616 | $5,616 |
| 25% loss of use | $14,040 | $14,040 | $14,040 |
| 50% loss of use | $28,080 | $28,080 | $28,080 |
| 100% loss of use | $56,160 | $56,160 | $56,160 |
Calculate your arm 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.
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.
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.
Rhode Island vs. neighboring states
| State | How an arm injury is paid | Max for total loss |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 312 weeks | $56,160 |
| Connecticut | 208 weeks | $244,400 |
| Massachusetts | 43 × the state average weekly wage | $86,309.60 |
"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 Rhode Island
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an arm injury worth in Rhode Island workers' comp?
Rhode Island sets 312 weeks for total loss, up to $56,160. A partial loss is paid in proportion to your doctor's rating: with 25% loss of use and a $1,200 weekly wage, about $14,040.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for an arm injury in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island 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 $14,040. 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 Rhode Island in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,691 (2026-10-01 to 2027-09-30).
Is there a waiting period in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island does not pay the first 3 days of lost time.
Which law sets these amounts?
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). The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Rhode Island
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.