How much is a back injury worth in Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-01 – 2027-06-30 | $1,376 | $917 |
| 2025-07-01 – 2026-06-30 | $1,306 | $870 |
$20 is added for each selected dependent, subject to the maximum and this tool's wage limit.
In Utah, a back injury is paid by the whole-person impairment rating your doctor gives. A 10% rating at the top weekly rate is worth about $28,610; with a 10% whole-person rating and a $1,200 weekly wage, about $24,960. That is the statutory award for the permanent injury; medical care and benefits while you are off work are paid separately.
How a back injury is paid in Utah
The formula uses 312 weeks × the applicable rating × weekly rate. For the current period, that rate is 66 2/3% of the accepted weekly wage, with a $917 maximum. Select qualifying dependents in the tool; static examples do not add dependents.
Not on the schedule; rated by impairment against 312 weeks for total loss of bodily function.
What is different in Utah
Utah's schedule grades each limb by the level of loss (e.g., arm at shoulder 187 weeks vs. between deltoid and elbow 178 weeks). Injuries not on the schedule are capped at 312 weeks.
Worked examples
| Rating | $800 weekly wage | $1,200 weekly wage | $1,600 weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% whole-person rating | $8,320 | $12,480 | $14,305.20 |
| 10% whole-person rating | $16,640 | $24,960 | $28,610.40 |
| 15% whole-person rating | $24,960 | $37,440 | $42,915.60 |
| 25% whole-person rating | $41,600 | $62,400 | $71,526 |
Calculate your back 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.
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.
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.
While you recover: temporary disability in Utah
Weekly temporary benefits while you cannot work follow these rules:
| Weekly rate | 66.67% of AWW, plus $20/week for a dependent spouse and $20/week per dependent child under 18 (max 4 children); the total may not exceed 100% of SAWW or 100% of the worker's AWW |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,376 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30) |
| Minimum weekly benefit | $45 + $20 per qualifying dependent |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| Waiting days paid back after | 14 days of disability |
| Time limit on temporary benefits | 312 weeks |
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.
Utah adds $20 a week for a dependent spouse and each dependent child under 18 (up to 4); this estimate includes the qualifying dependents selected.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a back injury worth in Utah workers' comp?
It depends on your doctor's whole-person impairment rating. A 10% rating at the top weekly rate is worth about $28,610; with a 10% whole-person rating and a $1,200 weekly wage, about $24,960.
What is the average workers' comp settlement for a back injury in Utah?
Utah does not publish an official average settlement. The best benchmark is the statutory award for your rating: with a 10% whole-person rating and a $1,200 weekly wage, about $24,960. 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 Utah in 2026?
The maximum weekly temporary total disability benefit is $1,376 (2026-07-01 to 2027-06-30).
Is there a waiting period in Utah?
Yes. Utah does not pay the first 3 days of lost time, but pays them back once disability lasts more than 14 days.
Which law sets these amounts?
Utah Code Ann. §§ 34A-2-409, 34A-2-410, 34A-2-412; Utah Code Ann. § 34A-2-412. The official sources are linked at the bottom of this page.
Other injuries in Utah
Law and official sources
Official sources
Statute: Utah Code Ann. §§ 34A-2-409, 34A-2-410, 34A-2-412; Utah Code Ann. § 34A-2-412
- Utah Labor Commission, Industrial Accidents Division (official site)
- laborcommission.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf
- law.justia.com/codes/utah/title-34a/chapter-2/part-4/section-412/
Figures checked September 30, 2026. Maximums change every year; confirm current figures with the Utah 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.