The Average Workers' Comp Leg Injury Settlements in 2024

There are about 138,000 annual work-related leg injuries, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Not only are leg injuries common, but they can also require significant time away from work to recover: almost 50,000 workers missed one month or more of work because of their injury.¹

If you experienced a leg injury at work, you can qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. In addition to wage replacement payments and coverage for medical bills, you could be in line for a settlement worth $60,000 or more.

The Average workers' comp settlement for a leg injury

The average settlement paid by workers' compensation for leg injuries is $60,901 based on data from the National Safety Council (NSC). Making up that total is $38,382 for medical expenses and $22,519 for indemnity (also covering lost wages).²

Keep in mind that this is a national average settlement, so you could make more or less depending on where you live, your exact injury, your average income, and the type of work you do.

How your leg injury could be worth more

In general, workers' comp will pay more if you need to miss more work time because of your injury. So for example, if you work in a job that requires you to be standing all day, a leg injury is likely to keep you out of work for a while. On the other hand, if you work a desk job that doesn't require you to be on your feet, you could get less from workers' comp since you'll probably return to work sooner.

The more medical care you need, the higher your benefits are also likely to be. So a muscle strain that requires rest isn't going to pay as much as a broken bone that requires a month in a cast. Surgery often leads to higher payouts, though not in all cases.

Injuries that affect other body parts — like your knee, ankle, or pelvis — also have the potential for a higher payout. The average settlement for claims involving multiple injuries is just over $62,000.

When leg injuries can qualify for workers’ comp

Just about any leg injury will qualify for workers’ comp benefits as long as:

• Your injury happened at work or directly resulted from doing your job.

• Your injury left you unable to do your job for at least a few days.

• You reported the injury to your employer.

You have a limited number of days to report your injury. Missing your state's reporting deadline will leave you ineligible for benefits.

Benefits are also available only to employees. You won't qualify if you're an independent contractor, freelancer, or gig worker.

The types of workers’ comp leg injuries

An injury that leaves you with numbness, pain, stiffness, weakness, or decreased range of motion in your legs can qualify for workers’ comp benefits.

You're eligible after accidents, one-time incidents, and conditions that result from repetitive strain over time (like arthritis). As long as you can show medically that your injury was caused at work or from doing your job duties, you can get benefits.

Some examples of common workers’ comp leg injuries are:

• Ankle injuries

• Broken bones, including the femur, fibula, and tibia

• Burns

• Crushes

• Cuts and abrasions

• Foot injuries

• Knee and patella injuries, like a fractured or dislocated kneecap

• Ligament tears, like ACL or PCL tears

• Muscle strains

• Osteoarthritis

• Hip injuries

• Pinched nerves

• Sprains

• Strains

• Stress fractures

• Tendonitis

Learn more about how an injury can qualify for workers’ comp.

Does workers’ comp always offer a settlement?

No. If you recover from your injury and return to work, your claim will close without a settlement. You'll still get the regular workers' comp benefits (known as temporary disability) that include weekly wage replacement checks and free medical care. You just won't receive and any lump-sum settlement.

When you can get a settlement

The most common point to get a settlement offer from the insurance company is around the time you reach maximum medical improvement. Also known as MMI, this is when your doctor believes you've recovered as much as possible with medical care, even though you haven't returned to your pre-injury condition.

However, a settlement is possible at any time. Sometimes the insurer even tries to settle right away, like to avoid an injury with what looks like an unpredictable (and expensive) recovery.

Any time you receive a settlement offer, we suggest talking to a workers' comp lawyer. You can get a free consultation to start and get a better sense of what a fair settlement is for your situation.

Further reading: When Workers’ Comp Will Offer a Settlement

What to do if insurance wants to settle

There are three main paths you can take if the insurer sends you a settlement offer:

1. Accept the settlement.

2. Reject the offer and continue receiving benefits.

3. Negotiate a better settlement.

The insurer is unlikely to make the best offer initially.

Since the insurance company is looking after its own profits and not necessarily your best interests, the initial offer you get is probably not the best option. Most people are better off negotiating, but sometimes waiting until later in the process makes it easier to gauge how much you should be asking for.

It isn't easy to calculate a reasonable settlement. You'll need to estimate future lost wages and medical expenses, plus any current missed payments and other expenses you may have. That's why we recommend talking to a lawyer.

A good workers' comp lawyer has experience negotiating fair deals for similar workers and similar injuries. To illustrate how much of a difference a lawyer makes, the average settlement with an Atticus lawyer is about double what workers receive if they negotiate without a lawyer.

Related: Situations When You Should Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer

How much workers’ comp pays if you don’t settle

Workers’ comp benefits typically include payments — sent every week or every other week — worth up to two-thirds of your average wages. (See what workers’ comp pays in your state.)

Medical expenses are also paid by the insurance company. That includes everything from copays and possibly travel expenses to prescription medication, assistive devices, and surgeries.

How long workers' comp lasts

In most states, workers’ comp benefits end when one of three things happens:

1. You return to work.

2. You reach MMI or transition to long-term payments.

3. You agree to a settlement.

If your workers' comp doctor determines that you’ve reached maximum medical improvement but either can't return to work or haven't regained your full pre-injury capabilities, you will move to transition to permanent disability benefits.

Permanent payments last a set number of weeks based on your state's laws, the exact part of your body that was injured, and the disability rating from your workers’ comp doctor.

See how long workers’ comp lasts in your state.

Do you need a workers’ comp lawyer?

A workers' compensation lawyer is an advocate for your rights and full benefits. So while you don't need one, they can simplify the process and fight for fairer payments from insurance.

Throughout your claim, an experienced lawyer will fight for more (and probably better) medical care that's still paid by insurance. If you need a second medical opinion, they can arrange that. They also handle paperwork, communication with the claims adjuster, appeals, court proceedings, and settlement negotiations.

Atticus also strives to make a good lawyer affordable by offering a free consultation with no upfront fees. You only pay the lawyer fee after you get your settlement, and if your lawyer doesn't get you a settlement, you don't pay anything.

Take the first step toward a fair settlement by filling out our 3-minute intake quiz or calling us at the number below. A member of our team will reach out to answer your questions and help you understand your options.

Find a local workers' comp lawyer

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