How much a New York workers comp settlement is worth depends on three things: the body part injured, your impairment rating, and your weekly wage. Typical New York settlements run 15000 to 175000 for many lump-sum (Section 32) settlements, with some serious or high-wage cases settling well above that; every case differs and there is no guaranteed amount.
The figure depends on the body part, the impairment/percentage of loss, the worker’s wage, and the value of waived future medical and indemnity benefits.. This guide lays out the New York caps, the body-part schedule, and how the math works, in plain English. All figures are from New York sources, verified as of June 2026.
New York at a Glance
| Wage replacement | 66.67% (two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage, multiplied by the percentage of disability) |
| Max weekly benefit | 1222.42 |
| Min weekly benefit | $325 |
| Waiting period | 7 days |
| PPD method | A combination. New York uses two tracks: (1) “Schedule Loss of Use” (SLU) — statutory body-part weeks multiplied by the physician’s percentage loss of use — for extremities and senses (arm, hand, leg, foot, fingers, toes, eye, ear); and (2) “Non-Schedule” awards — percentage loss of wage-earning capacity multiplied by a capped number of weeks — for the back, neck, spine, head, and systemic/internal injuries that have no scheduled body part. |
| Lawyer recommended | For serious injuries, denials, or any settlement offer |
In This New York Guide:
How Much Is a Workers’ Comp Settlement in New York?
How much a New York workers comp settlement is worth depends on three things: the body part injured, your impairment rating, and your weekly wage. Typical New York settlements run 15000 to 175000 for many lump-sum (Section 32) settlements, with some serious or high-wage cases settling well above that; every case differs and there is no guaranteed amount.
The figure depends on the body part, the impairment/percentage of loss, the worker’s wage, and the value of waived future medical and indemnity benefits.. This guide lays out the New York caps, the body-part schedule, and how the math works, in plain English. All figures are from New York sources, verified as of June 2026.
Want a quick estimate for your own injury?
New York Body-Part Settlement Values
If your injury is a permanent loss to a specific body part, New York assigns it a set number of weeks of benefits. Your payout is roughly those weeks multiplied by your impairment rating and your weekly comp rate. Here are the New York figures:
| Body part (scheduled loss) | Statutory weeks of benefits |
| Arm | 312 weeks |
| Hand | 244 weeks |
| Leg | 288 weeks |
| Foot | 205 weeks |
| Eye | 160 weeks |
| Thumb | 75 weeks |
| Index/First Finger | 46 weeks |
| Second Finger | 30 weeks |
| Third Finger | 25 weeks |
| Fourth Finger | 15 weeks |
| Big Toe | 38 weeks |
| Other Toe | 16 weeks |
| Total/Industrial Loss Of Hearing (Both Ears) | 150 weeks |
Whole-body / maximum: up to 312 (arm is the highest scheduled body part). For Non-Schedule permanent partial disability, the maximum is 525 weeks (for loss of wage-earning capacity greater than 95%); the Non-Schedule cap scales from 225 weeks at 15% or less up to 525 weeks above 95%. weeks.
How New York Calculates Your Payout
The weekly comp rate equals two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage (AWW) multiplied by the percentage of disability, subject to the state maximum and minimum. The AWW is generally based on the worker’s earnings over the 52 weeks before the injury (often calculated by dividing prior-year earnings by 52, or using a similar-worker/300-multiple method for seasonal or short-tenure workers).
For July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 dates of injury the rate is capped at 1222.42 per week (two-thirds of the 2024 NYSAWW of 1833.63) and floored at 325; for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 dates of injury the maximum rises to 1281.50 and the minimum rises to 384.45 (one-fifth of the 2025 NYSAWW of 1922.25).
Permanent disability: A combination.
New York uses two tracks: (1) “Schedule Loss of Use” (SLU) — statutory body-part weeks multiplied by the physician’s percentage loss of use — for extremities and senses (arm, hand, leg, foot, fingers, toes, eye, ear); and (2) “Non-Schedule” awards — percentage loss of wage-earning capacity multiplied by a capped number of weeks — for the back, neck, spine, head, and systemic/internal injuries that have no scheduled body part.
Offsets: New York does not reduce workers’ comp for Social Security retirement benefits. The interaction is a federal “reverse offset”: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may itself be reduced so that combined SSDI + workers’ comp does not exceed 80% of prior earnings (handled by SSA, not the NY Board).
New York comp can also be coordinated with the worker’s own disability/pension benefits in limited situations; confirm specifics with the Board and an attorney.
What Settlements Actually Run in New York
15000 to 175000 for many lump-sum (Section 32) settlements, with some serious or high-wage cases settling well above that; every case differs and there is no guaranteed amount. The figure depends on the body part, the impairment/percentage of loss, the worker’s wage, and the value of waived future medical and indemnity benefits.
That said, no two cases are alike — the number that matters is the one your own injury, rating, and wage produce, not a statewide average.
What drives a New York settlement: Body part injured and whether it is scheduled vs. non-schedule; the physician’s percentage of permanent loss of use (SLU) or the loss of wage-earning capacity (non-schedule); the worker’s average weekly wage (which sets the weekly rate); the projected cost of future medical care being waived; the worker’s age and ability to return to work;
and whether the claim is being closed via a Section 32 full-and-final waiver.
How Workers’ Comp Settlements Work in New York
A New York workers comp settlement usually has two parts: the wage benefits you are paid while you cannot work, and a lump sum for any permanent damage the injury leaves behind. The wage piece replaces a share of your average weekly wage, up to the state cap shown above.
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The permanent piece is where most of the settlement value lives, and it depends on the body part, your impairment rating, and how the state values that loss.
Scheduled vs. Unscheduled Injuries in New York
Most states, including how New York handles many claims, divide permanent injuries into two buckets. A scheduled loss is a specific body part with a set number of weeks assigned to it, like an arm, hand, or leg. An unscheduled loss affects the body as a whole, like a back or a head injury, and is often worth more because it touches your overall ability to earn.
Knowing which bucket your injury falls into is the first step to understanding what your case may be worth.
Other New York settlement rules: Lump-sum settlements are made through a “Section 32 Waiver Agreement” (WCL §32), which must be reviewed and approved by the Workers’ Compensation Board and generally cannot be undone after a 10-day waiting period — a Section 32 usually closes the case for both indemnity and (often) future medical.
SLU awards are paid as a fixed number of weeks regardless of whether the worker actually misses that time, and a documented “protracted healing period” can add weeks to an SLU award. Non-schedule classifications can be reclassified, and very high loss-of-wage-earning-capacity cases (over 75–95%) may qualify for extended/continued benefits beyond the standard cap.
The state maximum and minimum reset every July 1, so the rate is locked to the worker’s date of injury. None of this is legal advice — many claimants benefit from confirming the exact figures and options with the New York Workers’ Compensation Board and a licensed New York attorney.
Understanding Your New York Workers Comp Settlement
The size of a New York workers comp settlement is not random — it follows the state’s own formula. Your average weekly wage sets your benefit rate, the body part and impairment rating set the number of weeks, and the state cap sets the ceiling. Put together, those pieces are what a New York workers comp settlement is built from.
If any part of your New York workers comp settlement is unclear, the calculator below gives a quick estimate and your state board can confirm the current caps and the body-part schedule.
Got a settlement offer? Before you accept, it helps to know what your New York case may really be worth. An attorney can review the offer, often at no upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a workers’ comp settlement in New York?
There is no single average — a New York settlement depends on the body part, your impairment rating, and your wage. Typical ranges run 15000 to 175000 for many lump-sum (Section 32) settlements, with some serious or high-wage cases settling well above that; every case differs and there is no guaranteed amount.
The figure depends on the body part, the impairment/percentage of loss, the worker’s wage, and the value of waived future medical and indemnity benefits.. Use the calculator on this page for an estimate, and remember every case is different.
How is a New York workers’ comp settlement calculated?
New York generally pays a share of your average weekly wage (capped at $1222.42/week), then adds a permanent-disability amount based on the body part and your impairment rating. The state’s body-part schedule sets the number of weeks.
Do I need a lawyer to settle my New York workers’ comp case?
Not always, but for a serious injury, a denied claim, or a settlement offer you are unsure about, many claimants talk to a workers’ comp attorney first — the consultation is usually free and represented claimants often recover more.
Official New York Sources & Resources
- New York New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB): https://www.wcb.ny.gov
- New York Workers’ Comp Statute: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/WKC/15
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- NCCI (rating/benefit data): ncci.com
These New York workers comp settlement figures were last verified against official sources in June 2026. State benefit caps change every year — confirm the current figure with your state workers’-comp board or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
More New York Workers’ Comp Guides
- How to File a New York Workers’ Comp Claim
- New York Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.