How much a Washington workers comp settlement is worth depends on three things: the body part injured, your impairment rating, and your weekly wage. Typical Washington settlements run Highly case-dependent. Many PPD awards fall roughly between 5000 and 60000, with a commonly cited typical figure around 20000 and many cases in the 20000–40000 range; catastrophic or full claim resolutions can run well into six or seven figures. Every case differs..
This guide lays out the Washington caps, the body-part schedule, and how the math works, in plain English. All figures are from Washington sources, verified as of June 2026.
Washington at a Glance
| Wage replacement | 60% base, rising to a maximum of 75% with dependents (60% of gross monthly wage + 5% if married + 2% per child, up to 5 children, capped at 75%). Washington does NOT use a flat two-thirds rate. |
| Max weekly benefit | 9981 per MONTH (Washington pays time-loss monthly, not weekly; this is the maximum effective July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 = 120% of the state average monthly wage; weekly equivalent ≈ 2303). The prior-year max applies to injuries before that date. |
| Min weekly benefit | 1248 per MONTH approx (minimum = 15% of the state average monthly wage + $10 for a spouse + $10 per child up to 5 children; if actual wages are lower, the worker generally receives their actual wage). Weekly equivalent ≈ 288. |
| Waiting period | 3 days |
| PPD method | Combination. For SPECIFIED disabilities (arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, eyes, hearing) the doctor’s impairment percentage is multiplied by a statutory DOLLAR value for that body part. For UNSPECIFIED disabilities (back, neck, mental health) Washington assigns an impairment “Category” (1–9 by WAC), each tied to a set dollar amount. Awards are paid in DOLLARS, not weeks. |
| Lawyer recommended | For serious injuries, denials, or any settlement offer |
In This Washington Guide:
How Much Is a Workers’ Comp Settlement in Washington?
How much a Washington workers comp settlement is worth depends on three things: the body part injured, your impairment rating, and your weekly wage. Typical Washington settlements run Highly case-dependent. Many PPD awards fall roughly between 5000 and 60000, with a commonly cited typical figure around 20000 and many cases in the 20000–40000 range; catastrophic or full claim resolutions can run well into six or seven figures. Every case differs..
This guide lays out the Washington caps, the body-part schedule, and how the math works, in plain English. All figures are from Washington sources, verified as of June 2026.
Want a quick estimate for your own injury?
Washington Body-Part Settlement Values
If your injury is a permanent loss to a specific body part, Washington 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 Washington figures:
| Body part (scheduled loss) | Statutory weeks of benefits |
| Not Weeks. Example Full-Loss Values For Dates Of Injury 7/1/2025–6/30/2026: Leg At/Above Knee With Functional Stump ≈ | 142739 weeks |
| Leg Below Knee ≈ | 126880 weeks |
| Foot At Mid-Metatarsals ≈ | 55510 weeks |
Whole-body / maximum: up to NONE (no week-based cap; the maximum “total bodily impairment” value for dates of injury 7/1/2025–6/30/2026 is 264332) weeks.
How Washington Calculates Your Payout
Monthly rate = 60% of the gross monthly wage at injury (including overtime, bonuses, tips, and the value of employer-paid health care) + 5% if married + 2% per dependent child (max 5), not to exceed 75% of the wage and capped at 120% of the state average monthly wage.
Permanent disability: Combination. For SPECIFIED disabilities (arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, toes, eyes, hearing) the doctor’s impairment percentage is multiplied by a statutory DOLLAR value for that body part. For UNSPECIFIED disabilities (back, neck, mental health) Washington assigns an impairment “Category” (1–9 by WAC), each tied to a set dollar amount. Awards are paid in DOLLARS, not weeks.
Offsets: Yes — Washington offsets Social Security DISABILITY (SSDI) benefits against time-loss/pension under RCW 51.32.220/.225 so the combined total does not exceed 80% of the worker’s prior earnings; pension (permanent total disability) benefits may also be coordinated. Confirm current offset details with L&I.
What Settlements Actually Run in Washington
Highly case-dependent. Many PPD awards fall roughly between 5000 and 60000, with a commonly cited typical figure around 20000 and many cases in the 20000–40000 range; catastrophic or full claim resolutions can run well into six or seven figures. Every case differs. 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 Washington settlement: Body part injured, the doctor’s permanent impairment percentage (or impairment Category for back/neck/mental), the worker’s age at date of injury (younger = higher), the gross average monthly wage at injury, need for future medical care, and ability to return to work.
How Workers’ Comp Settlements Work in Washington
A Washington 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.
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 Washington
Most states, including how Washington 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.
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Knowing which bucket your injury falls into is the first step to understanding what your case may be worth.
Other Washington settlement rules: Washington is a MONOPOLISTIC state fund (no private workers’ comp insurers; employers buy from L&I or self-insure). Traditional full “settlements” are limited: a Claim Resolution Structured Settlement Agreement (CRSSA) that closes a claim for cash is available only to workers age 50 or older and must be approved by the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals; it cannot settle future medical care.
Most “settlement” value for younger workers comes from the dollar-based PPD award at claim closure. PPD awards under 3× the state average monthly wage are paid as one check; larger awards are paid as a down payment plus monthly installments. PPD dollar schedules are updated every July 1 by CPI.
Understanding Your Washington Workers Comp Settlement
The size of a Washington 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 Washington workers comp settlement is built from.
If any part of your Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington?
There is no single average — a Washington settlement depends on the body part, your impairment rating, and your wage. Typical ranges run Highly case-dependent. Many PPD awards fall roughly between 5000 and 60000, with a commonly cited typical figure around 20000 and many cases in the 20000–40000 range; catastrophic or full claim resolutions can run well into six or seven figures. Every case differs..
Use the calculator on this page for an estimate, and remember every case is different.
How is a Washington workers’ comp settlement calculated?
Washington generally pays a share of your average weekly wage (capped at $9981 per MONTH (Washington pays time-loss monthly, not weekly; this is the maximum effective July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 = 120% of the state average monthly wage; weekly equivalent ≈ 2303). The prior-year max applies to injuries before that date./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 Washington 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 Washington Sources & Resources
- Washington Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — a monopolistic state-fund system; disputes go to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA): https://www.lni.wa.gov
- Washington Workers’ Comp Statute: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=51.32
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- NCCI (rating/benefit data): ncci.com
These Washington 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 Washington Workers’ Comp Guides
- How to File a Washington Workers’ Comp Claim
- Washington 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.