Average Workers' Comp Pelvis Injury Settlement in 2024

Workers experience about 16,500 annually to their pelvis or hips according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. About 40% of those injuries required at least a month of missed work.¹

Pelvis injuries that happen at work can qualify you for workers’ compensation benefits, which include wage replacement payments and medical care paid by your employer's insurance. You may also receive a sizable settlement of more than $60,000, on average.

The average workers' comp settlement for a pelvis injury

The average workers’ comp settlement for a pelvis injury is about $60,200, according to data from the National Safety Council (NSC). That total payment includes more than $24,400 as an indemnity payment (to cover lost wages) and more than $35,700 to cover medical care.²

This settlement amount is a national average, so your case could settle for more or less depending on your circumstances. As a general rule, the longer your recovery is or the more medical care you need, the higher your potential payout is.

Older individuals usually receive higher workers’ comp settlements because they tend to require more recovery time. Injuries that affect multiple body parts — like your lower back, spine, legs, or internal organs — can also lead to higher settlements. If you need surgery, there's a good chance your payout will be higher.

Injuries that affect your ability to do your job but don't leave you fully unable to work usually come with lower settlements. That could include cumulative injuries, like arthritis, which settle for about $17,000, on average, according to NSC data.

When pelvis injuries can qualify for workers’ comp

A pelvis injury qualifies for workers’ compensation as long as:

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

• Your injury left you unable to do your job.

• You quickly reported the injury to your employer.

You have a limited number of days to report your injury. If you fail to report it within your state's deadline, you won't qualify for workers' comp no matter how serious your injury is.

Unfortunately, you also need to be a regular employee to receive benefits. That includes full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers. You won't qualify for benefits if you're an independent contractor, gig worker, or freelancer.

Examples of workers’ comp pelvis injuries

An injury that causes weakness, pain, stiffness, or decreased range of motion in your pelvis can qualify for workers’ comp benefits.

You're eligible whether you experienced a one-time accident (like falling off a ladder) or your condition is from from repetitive strain over time (like osteoarthritis). For cumulative-strain injuries that develop over years of work, you will need to prove that your work duties caused or significantly contributed to the injury. The more medical records you have, the easier it is to show that it's work-related.

Some examples of common workers’ comp pelvis injuries are:

• Broken pelvis bones

• Dislocations

• Fractures to the coccyx (tailbone), ilium, ischium, pubis, or sacrum

• Nerve damage, such as to the pudendal nerve

• Sacroiliac (SI) joint arthritis

Related injuries, like hip injuries or leg injuries, also qualify for benefits. If you're still unsure whether your injury can qualify, your best option is to report the injury and ask your employer to file a workers' comp claim anyway. You can also read more about the types of injuries that usually qualify for workers’ comp.

Does workers’ comp always offer a settlement?

Not all workers’ comp claims end with a settlement. If you recover from your injury and return to work, your claim will close without a settlement. You still receive regular workers' comp benefits — weekly wage replacement checks and free medical care — but you won't get a big, lump-sum payouts.

When you can get a settlement

The longer your injury keeps you from being able to work, the more likely it is that you can negotiate a settlement. In particular, it's common for insurance to make an offer around the time you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). That's the point where you've recovered as much as possible but still haven't returned to your pre-injury condition.

If you've received a settlement offer, we recommend talking to a workers' comp lawyer. They'll help you understand the best time to settle and what a fair payout is for someone with your injury and in your profession.

Further reading: When Workers’ Comp Could Offer a Settlement

What you should do if insurance offers to settle

After you receive a settlement offer, you have three main options:

1. Accept the settlement as offered.

2. Reject the offer and continue receiving benefits.

3. Negotiate for a better settlement.

Most people benefit from negotiating. Since the insurer is trying to offer you as little as possible to protect its own profits, it’s unlikely that your first offer with reflect the true cost of your injury.

The best way to ensure you negotiate a fair settlement is to contact a workers' comp lawyer. Calculating a reasonable settlement requires you to estimate the cost of current and future medical care, future lost wages from missed work time, and any other costs related to your injury. As an example of how big of a difference a lawyer makes, the average settlement with an Atticus lawyer is double what workers receive without a lawyer.

Along the way, an experienced local lawyer will also help you receive more (and likely better) medical care from insurance. They will handle communications with your claims adjuster. If you need to complete paperwork, file appeals, or attend court hearings, a lawyer can help with all of that.

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. This is what you'll receive when your claim is first approved and they're known as temporary disability benefits. Necessary medical expenses are also paid by the insurance company.

See how much workers’ comp pays in your state.

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 recovered as much as possible (a point called MMI) but you still can’t return to work, then you automatically transition to long-term workers' comp benefits, which are also called permanent disability benefits.

How long your permanent payments last is based on where you live, which part of your body was injured, and the disability rating you received from the workers’ comp doctor.

See how long workers’ comp lasts in your state.

Do you need a workers’ comp lawyer?

Having a workers' compensation lawyer can simplify the whole process for you. They're trained in your state laws, so they know how to get you as much medical care as possible (paid by insurance) and a fair settlement that doesn't leave you with unpaid medical bills in a few years.

A reputable workers’ comp lawyer is also affordable. For example, Atticus workers' comp lawyers, offer a free consultation and don't ask for any upfront payment. You only pay their fee after you win benefits or get your settlement. And since the average settlement with an Atticus lawyer is double what people get on their own, you end up earning more money even after paying the lawyer fee.

To get straight answers to your questions and take back control of your workers’ comp claim, complete our 3-minute intake quiz or call us at the number below.

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