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North Carolina workers' comp settlement chart
North Carolina pays a permanent injury to a listed body part for a set number of weeks. A thumb is 75 weeks.
Each week pays 66.67% of your average weekly wage, up to $1,446 a week (injuries from 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31).
At the maximum rate, that comes to $108,450; partial loss of use pays that share of the weeks.
Quoted from North Carolina law and the North Carolina Industrial Commission, checked October 2, 2026 · not legal advice
Weeks of benefits by body part
For total loss or total loss of use. The next column is the weeks times the $1,446 weekly maximum; enter your wage above for your own amount.
| Body part | Weeks | At the maximum | At your wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| total loss of use of the back | 300 | $433,800 | |
| arm | 240 | $347,040 | |
| hand | 200 | $289,200 | |
| leg | 200 | $289,200 | |
| complete loss of hearing in both ears | 150 | $216,900 | |
| foot | 144 | $208,224 | |
| eye | 120 | $173,520 | |
| thumb | 75 | $108,450 | |
| complete loss of hearing in one ear | 70 | $101,220 | |
| first finger, commonly called the index finger | 45 | $65,070 | |
| second finger | 40 | $57,840 | |
| great toe | 35 | $50,610 | |
| third finger | 25 | $36,150 | |
| fourth finger, commonly called the little finger | 20 | $28,920 | |
| one of the toes other than a great toe | 10 | $14,460 |
Weeks of compensation at 66 2/3% of average weekly wages, paid in addition to the healing period; partial loss or loss of use is paid for the proportion of the weeks that the partial loss bears to total loss (97-31(19)); loss of the first phalange of a thumb, finger or toe is one-half. Also: serious facial or head disfigurement up to $20,000; serious bodily disfigurement up to $10,000; important external or internal organ up to $20,000 (these caps rise to $40,000 for some items on July 1, 2027).
Injuries not on the chart
Scheduled loss: weeks for the member x 66 2/3% of average weekly wage (capped at the annual maximum), plus the healing period; partial loss = proportion of the scheduled weeks (97-31(19)). Back: 300 weeks for total loss of use, proportional for partial loss, with 75% or more treated as total (97-31(23)). Other partial incapacity: 66 2/3% of the wage difference, up to 500 weeks (97-30).
Rates and deadlines
| Temporary disability rate | 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage, up to the annual maximum | N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-29(a) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly maximum | $1,446 (injuries from 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (resets each January 1; computed as 110% of the average weekly insured wage, rounded to the nearest $2)); applies to total disability, partial disability (97-30) and the schedule of injuries (97-31(20)) | North Carolina Industrial Commission, Maximum Weekly Compensation Rates; N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-29(i) |
| Weekly minimum | $30 (until July 1, 2027 (the version of 97-29(a) effective July 1, 2027 raises the minimum to $50)); total disability (97-29(a)); the schedule weekly payments are subject to the same maximum and minimum (97-31(20)) | N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-29(a); 97-31(20) |
| Permanent partial rate | Scheduled injuries: 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage for the scheduled weeks (same maximum and minimum as total disability). Partial incapacity not on the schedule: 66 2/3% of the difference between average weekly wage before the injury and what you can earn after, up to 500 weeks. | N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-31 |
| Waiting period | 7 days, paid back if you are out more than 21 days | N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-28 |
| Tell your employer | written notice immediately or as soon as practicable, and no compensation is payable unless written notice is given within 30 days after the accident (unless the Commission finds reasonable excuse and no prejudice) | N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-22 and 97-24(a) |
| File your claim | claim or memorandum of agreement filed with the Industrial Commission within 2 years after the accident (or the employee is paid compensation within 2 years); or within 2 years after the last payment of medical compensation when no other compensation has been paid | N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-22 and 97-24(a) |
What a settlement adds or takes away
The chart is the statute's payment for a permanent injury. A lump-sum settlement can differ: it may also close out future medical care or wage loss, and the insurer and the judge must agree. A workers' comp lawyer in North Carolina can tell you what your rating is likely to be.
Questions
How much is a thumb worth in North Carolina workers' comp?
75 weeks of benefits for total loss or loss of use, up to $108,450 at the $1,446 weekly maximum. A partial loss pays the same share of the weeks.
What is the maximum workers' comp benefit in North Carolina?
$1,446 a week for injuries from 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 (resets each January 1; computed as 110% of the average weekly insured wage, rounded to the nearest $2).
How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in North Carolina?
claim or memorandum of agreement filed with the Industrial Commission within 2 years after the accident (or the employee is paid compensation within 2 years); or within 2 years after the last payment of medical compensation when no other compensation has been paid.
Sources
- Schedule (N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-31 (effective until July 1, 2027)): www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-31.pdf
(12) For the loss of a hand, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66⅔%) of the average weekly wages during 200 weeks. (13) For the loss of an arm, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66⅔%) of the average weekly wages during 240 weeks. (14) For the loss of a foot, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66⅔%) of the average weekly wages during 144 weeks. (15) For the loss of a leg, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66⅔%) of the average weekly wages during 200 weeks. (16) For the loss of an eye, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66⅔%) of the average weekly wages during 120 weeks. ... (23) For the total los…
- Weekly maximum (North Carolina Industrial Commission, Maximum Weekly Compensation Rates; N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-29(i)): www.ic.nc.gov/workers-compensation-claims/maximum-weekly-compensation-rates
Maximum Weekly Compensation Rates for 1982 - 2026 Use the tables below to determine the maximum weekly workers' compensation benefit for total disability based on the year of your injury. 2026 $1,446.00 2025 $1,380.00
- Permanent partial rate (N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-31): www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-31.pdf
(1) For the loss of a thumb, sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66⅔%) of the average weekly wages during 75 weeks.
- Temporary disability rate (N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-29(a)): www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-29.pdf
(a) When an employee qualifies for total disability, the employer shall pay or cause to be paid, as hereinafter provided by subsections (b) through (d) of this section, to the injured employee a weekly compensation equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66⅔%) of his average weekly wages, but not more than the amount established annually to be effective January 1 as provided herein, nor less than thirty dollars ($30.00) per week.
- Deadlines (N.C. Gen. Stat. 97-22 and 97-24(a)): www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_97/GS_97-24.pdf
but no compensation shall be payable unless such written notice is given within 30 days after the occurrence of the accident or death, unless reasonable excuse is made to the satisfaction of the Industrial Commission for not giving such notice and the Commission is satisfied that the employer has not been prejudiced thereby.
Read October 2, 2026. Laws and fees change; the linked page is the authority.