Workers’ Comp Settlement Chart: Missouri Body Part Values (2025-2026)
If you have been hurt on the job in Missouri and want to know what your injury is worth, you are in the right place. Missouri law assigns a specific number of “weeks” to every major body part, and those weeks are the foundation of your permanent partial disability (PPD) settlement. The interactive chart below shows exactly how many weeks Missouri assigns to each body part and the maximum payout at current rates.
At a Glance: Missouri Workers’ Comp Settlement Payouts by Body Part
- Missouri’s PPD settlement formula: Statutory Weeks x Disability Rating (%) x Weekly Compensation Rate
- The maximum PPD weekly rate for 2025-2026 injuries is $670.92/week (55% of state average weekly wage)
- “Body as a whole” injuries (back, neck, head) carry the highest value at 400 weeks
- Shoulders are valued at 232 weeks, hips at 207 weeks, and knees at 160 weeks
- Your actual payout depends on your disability rating, your average weekly wage, and which body part was injured
- A 15% disability rating on a back injury at the $400/week rate equals roughly $24,000 in PPD benefits alone
- Settlements often include additional compensation beyond PPD, such as future medical costs
- The 30-day deadline to report your injury to your employer still applies, even if symptoms develop slowly
- A surgically repaired rotator cuff at a $450/week rate typically produces a PPD settlement of $20,880 to $36,540
- Back injuries with surgical treatment commonly produce PPD values of $27,000 to $45,000 depending on the rating
- Total settlements often exceed the PPD-only value when TTD, medical costs, and future care are included
- Insurance company doctors routinely assign lower disability ratings than independent physicians
Interactive Workers’ Comp Settlement Chart by Body Part
Use the chart below to click on any body part and see its statutory value under Missouri’s Schedule of Losses (Section 287.190). The chart shows the number of weeks assigned, the maximum total value at 100% disability, and a sample calculation so you can estimate your own payout.
Note: This interactive chart reflects Missouri PPD benefit rates for injuries occurring July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Rates are adjusted annually by the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation.
How Missouri Calculates Workers’ Comp Settlement Payouts
Missouri does not use a single flat dollar amount for each injury. Instead, the state uses a formula that accounts for three variables. Understanding this formula is the key to understanding what your payout will actually look like.
The PPD Settlement Formula
Statutory Weeks x Disability Rating (%) x Your Weekly Compensation Rate = PPD Settlement Value
Here is what each piece means:
Statutory Weeks are set by law under Section 287.190 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. The legislature assigned 400 weeks to the whole body and then divided portions of that total across individual body parts. A knee gets 160 weeks. A shoulder gets 232. These numbers do not change based on your situation; they are the same for every worker in Missouri.
Disability Rating is a percentage assigned by a doctor after you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is the point where your condition has stabilized and further significant improvement is not expected. The rating reflects how much permanent function you have lost in that body part. A 10% rating on a knee means you have lost 10% of normal knee function permanently.
Weekly Compensation Rate is based on your pre-injury earnings. The formula is 66 and two-thirds percent of your average weekly wage, calculated from your gross wages during the 13 weeks before your injury. This rate is capped at $670.92/week for PPD benefits (2025-2026 rate).
Example: Shoulder Injury Settlement Calculation
Say you earn $750 per week before your injury. Your PPD rate would be 66.67% of that, or $500/week. You tear your rotator cuff, have surgery, and the doctor assigns a 25% permanent disability rating at MMI.
The calculation: 232 weeks x 25% x $500/week = $29,000 in PPD benefits
That is the PPD portion of your settlement. Your total workers’ comp case value may also include temporary total disability (TTD) payments you received while off work, medical bills paid by the insurer, and potentially additional compensation negotiated during settlement.
Missouri Workers’ Comp Settlement Chart: Complete Body Part Values
Below is the full schedule of body part values under Missouri law. These are the statutory week assignments from Section 287.190.
Highest Value: Body as a Whole (400 Weeks)
Injuries to the back, neck, and head are classified as “body as a whole” under Missouri law. They carry the maximum statutory value of 400 weeks because these injuries tend to affect your entire ability to work, not just one isolated function.
At the current maximum PPD rate of $670.92/week, 100% disability to the body as a whole would pay $268,368. Of course, most injuries do not result in 100% disability. A herniated disc with a 15% rating at a $400/week rate would pay $24,000. A cervical fusion with a 20% rating at the same rate would pay $32,000.
Back injuries are the single most common high-value workers’ comp claim in Missouri. They frequently involve herniated discs, lumbar fusions, and permanent lifting restrictions that affect a worker’s ability to return to their previous job.
Upper Body: Shoulders, Hands, and Arms
Shoulders: 232 weeks. Shoulder injuries are among the most frequently litigated body parts in Missouri workers’ comp. Rotator cuff tears, labrum tears, and shoulder replacements are common. A surgically repaired rotator cuff typically receives a disability rating somewhere in the 20% to 35% range, which translates to meaningful settlement value. At a $450/week rate with a 25% rating, the PPD payout would be $26,100.
Hands: 175 weeks each. Hand injuries include fractures, crush injuries, tendon damage, and loss of grip strength. If there is complete loss or severance, Missouri law adds a 10% bonus, bringing the total to 192.5 weeks. Workers in manufacturing, construction, and warehouse jobs are particularly vulnerable to hand injuries.
Lower Body: Hips, Knees, Ankles, and Feet
Hips: 207 weeks each. Hip injuries from falls, repetitive stress, and heavy lifting can include labral tears, fractures, and conditions that eventually require hip replacement surgery. These cases often carry significant settlement value because of the long recovery timelines and permanent restrictions.
Knees: 160 weeks each. Knee injuries are extremely common in workers’ comp. ACL tears, meniscus damage, and total knee replacements frequently result in permanent restrictions on kneeling, climbing, and squatting. At a $400/week rate with a 20% disability rating, the PPD payout for a knee would be $12,800.
Ankles: 150 weeks each. Ankle fractures, chronic instability, and ligament damage from falls and missteps are common claims, particularly in construction and industrial settings.
Feet: 150 weeks each. Foot injuries include crush injuries, fractures, and plantar fascia damage. Like hands, complete loss of a foot adds a 10% bonus (165 weeks).
Sensory Losses
Both ears (hearing): 180 weeks. Hearing loss from one ear is valued at 49 weeks; both ears together are 180 weeks. Occupational hearing loss from prolonged noise exposure in manufacturing, construction, and industrial work is a common and often overlooked claim in Missouri.
Vision losses are also covered under the schedule but involve separate statutory provisions.
What Affects Your Actual Workers’ Comp Payout
The chart above gives you the statutory framework, but your actual settlement amount is influenced by several factors beyond the basic PPD formula.
Your Disability Rating Matters Most
The single biggest variable in your payout is the disability rating you receive. Insurance companies will send you to their own doctor for an independent medical examination (IME), and that doctor’s rating often comes in lower than what your treating physician or an independent evaluator might assign. This is one of the main reasons injured workers hire attorneys: to make sure the rating reflects the true extent of the permanent damage.
Missouri judges often look at multiple factors when evaluating disputed ratings, including whether the injured worker can return to their previous type of employment, what physical restrictions the doctors have placed on them, and how the injury affects their daily life.
Your Average Weekly Wage Sets the Rate
Your PPD rate is capped at $670.92/week for the 2025-2026 benefit year, but most workers do not hit that cap. Your actual rate is 66 and two-thirds percent of your average weekly wage from the 13 weeks before your injury. If you earned $600/week, your PPD rate is $400/week. If you earned $900/week, your rate is $600/week.
Workers who earn overtime, receive bonuses, or work second jobs should make sure all earnings are included in the average weekly wage calculation. Insurance adjusters sometimes undercount these amounts.
Settlements Often Exceed the PPD Chart Value
The PPD formula gives you a baseline, but settlements in Missouri workers’ comp cases frequently include additional value beyond the raw PPD number. This can happen when there are disputed medical bills, when the worker needs future medical care, or when the employer or insurer wants to close the case entirely through a lump-sum settlement.
In a “compromise settlement” (also called a Section 287.390 settlement), the parties agree on a total dollar amount that resolves all issues. These settlements are voluntary, meaning neither side can force the other to settle. The advantage is certainty: you know exactly what you are getting, and you get it in a lump sum rather than weekly payments.
PPD vs. PTD: When Injuries Go Beyond the Chart
If your workplace injury is so severe that you cannot return to any type of employment, you may qualify for permanent total disability (PTD) rather than permanent partial disability. PTD is paid at a higher weekly rate (the same as TTD, up to $1,280.84/week for 2025-2026) and continues for life or until settled in a lump sum.
PTD is not based on the body part chart. It applies when the combination of your injuries and personal factors (age, education, work history) means you are effectively unable to work in the open labor market. Missouri courts evaluate PTD claims on a case-by-case basis.
Key Deadlines That Protect Your Payout
Missing a deadline can reduce or eliminate your workers’ comp settlement entirely. Here are the ones that matter most:
30 days to report your injury. You must notify your employer within 30 days of your workplace injury. Verbal notice counts, but written notice is better. If your injury develops over time (like a repetitive stress injury or hearing loss), the clock starts when you knew or should have known the condition was work-related.
2 years to file a Claim for Compensation. You have two years from the date of injury, or from the date of your last workers’ comp payment, to file a formal claim with the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to benefits.
5 years for retaliation claims. If your employer fired you or retaliated against you for filing a workers’ comp claim, you have five years to file a separate lawsuit under Section 287.780.
Complete Missouri Workers’ Comp Body Part Value Table
| Body Part | Statutory Weeks | Max PPD Value (100% Loss) | 15% Rating at $450/wk | 25% Rating at $450/wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body as a Whole (back, neck, head) | 400 | $268,368 | $27,000 | $45,000 |
| Arm at Shoulder | 232 | $155,653 | $15,660 | $26,100 |
| Hip | 207 | $138,880 | $13,972 | $23,287 |
| Both Ears (hearing) | 180 | $120,766 | $12,150 | $20,250 |
| Hand | 175 | $117,411 | $11,812 | $19,687 |
| Knee | 160 | $107,347 | $10,800 | $18,000 |
| Ankle | 150 | $100,638 | $10,125 | $16,875 |
| Foot | 150 | $100,638 | $10,125 | $16,875 |
| One Ear | 49 | $32,875 | $3,307 | $5,512 |
Max PPD Value based on the 2025-2026 maximum weekly rate of $670.92. Sample calculations use a $450/week PPD rate, which corresponds to an average weekly wage of approximately $675.
Common Questions About Workers’ Comp Settlement Payouts in Missouri
How much is the average workers’ comp settlement in Missouri?
There is no single “average” that applies to every case. Settlement amounts in Missouri range from a few thousand dollars for minor soft tissue injuries to well over $100,000 for serious injuries like spinal fusions, shoulder replacements, or traumatic brain injuries. The PPD body part chart, your disability rating, and your weekly wage rate are the starting point for any calculation.
Can I get a lump sum instead of weekly payments?
Yes. Missouri allows compromise settlements where you receive a single lump-sum payment instead of weekly PPD checks. Most workers’ comp cases in Missouri settle this way. The lump sum typically reflects the PPD value plus any disputed medical or future care costs.
Do I need a lawyer to get a fair settlement?
You are not required to have an attorney, but insurance companies have adjusters and lawyers working on their side. A workers’ comp attorney can ensure your disability rating is accurate, that your average weekly wage is calculated correctly, and that your settlement reflects the full value of your claim, not just the minimum the insurer offers.
What if my injury affects more than one body part?
Missouri allows compensation for multiple injured body parts. If you hurt your back and your knee in the same accident, the values are calculated separately and then combined. In some cases, injuries to multiple body parts can push a claim into PTD territory.
How long does it take to get a workers’ comp settlement in Missouri?
Most cases settle after the injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement. For straightforward injuries, this might take 6 to 12 months. More complex cases involving surgery, disputed ratings, or multiple body parts can take 18 months to 2 years or longer.
Does my settlement get taxed?
Workers’ compensation benefits, including PPD settlements, are generally not subject to federal or state income tax in Missouri. This is one of the advantages of workers’ comp compared to other forms of income replacement.
What if the insurance company disputes my disability rating?
This happens frequently. The insurer will often send you to their own doctor (an IME), and that doctor may assign a lower rating than your treating physician. In disputed cases, the Administrative Law Judge weighs the competing medical opinions and makes a determination. Having your own medical evidence and legal representation is critical in these situations.
Can my employer fire me while I have a workers’ comp claim?
Your employer can terminate your employment, but they cannot fire you because you filed a workers’ comp claim. That would be retaliation, which is illegal under Missouri law (Section 287.780). If you believe you were fired in retaliation for filing a claim, you may have a separate legal claim on top of your workers’ comp case.
Talk to a Missouri Workers’ Comp Attorney About Your Settlement
The payout chart and calculations above give you a solid starting point, but every case has details that affect the final number. If you have been hurt on the job in Central Missouri or the Lake of the Ozarks area, the attorneys at Deputy and Mizell can review your case, explain what your claim is worth, and make sure you are not leaving money on the table.
You do not pay unless we recover for you. Contact Deputy and Mizell at 417-532-2191 for a free consultation, or visit our offices in Lebanon, Camdenton, or Tuscumbia.
Related Resources:
- Workers’ Compensation Practice – Overview of our workers’ comp services
- PPD Benefits in Missouri – Deep dive into PPD calculations
- Personal Injury Practice – When third-party claims apply
- Contact Us – Schedule your free consultation
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and settlement amounts depend on individual circumstances. For advice specific to your situation, contact Deputy & Mizell at 417-532-2191 for a free consultation.
