How to Calculate Workers’ Comp Pay in Louisiana (2025 Guide)

When you’re hurt at work in Louisiana, and your doctor says you’re too hurt to keep working, your employer must pay you lost wage benefits—and they must calculate it correctly and pay it promptly.  

This income—vital income that keeps you financially afloat after an injury on the job—is one of the most important parts of workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana. This system is designed to protect workers after accidents at work. 

The other major part is coverage for all the medical treatment you need due to your job injury. Your medical care should be paid for starting immediately after your injury. 

When it’s clear you’ll have to stay off work, workers’ comp income assistance should kick in. 

Here’s the problem: Employers and workers’ comp insurance companies will often delay your pay or try to shortchange you. This may be surprising, but it happens more than you might think. 

You can and should push back. But how do you know when you should be receiving lost wages pay and for how much? Louisiana workers’ comp rates vary up to $845 per week in 2025. 

Let’s break it down… 

What Is Workers’ Comp Pay? 

Workers’ compensation pay is a type of insurance benefit provided to workers who get injured or get sick because of their job. In Louisiana, this system ensures that workers receive financial support to cover lost wages and medical expenses without having to prove that their employer is at fault for the injury. 

Key Points to Know: 

• Purpose of Workers’ Comp: It acts as a safety net, helping injured workers maintain financial stability while they recover.
• No-Fault System: Workers receive benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. 
• Coverage Includes: 
• Medical Expenses: Doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation. 
• Lost Wages: Partial replacement of income during recovery. 
• Disability Benefits: Compensation for temporary or permanent disabilities. 
• Death Benefits: Support for dependents if the worker dies due to a work-related incident. 

By understanding what workers’ comp pay entails, you can better navigate the process and ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to. 

When Should Workers’ Comp Payments Start in Louisiana? 

When you have to miss work because of your workplace injury, your checks for lost wages should start by two weeks after you filed your workers’ comp claim. 

You should get paid for every week that you can’t work because of your injury. 

These benefits are due on the same day you were usually paid. So if you were paid weekly, your benefits must be paid each week. If you were paid biweekly, then your benefits are owed biweekly. If you were paid monthly, then your benefits are due each month. 

The law requires your benefits to be paid on time, and if your benefits are late, you may be entitled to additional compensation. 

If your employer or the workers’ comp insurance company are dragging this out or failing to pay you consistently, a Louisiana workers’ compensation attorney can help you get what you’re owed. 

After all, most jobs in Louisiana are covered by workers’ comp, and when you need it, you are entitled to it. 

Calculating Workers’ Comp Pay in Louisiana 

Calculating your workers’ comp pay in Louisiana involves determining your Average Weekly Wage (AWW) and then calculating two-thirds of that amount. Here’s how it works: 

Step 1: Determine Your Earnings Before the Injury 

• Hourly Workers: Add up all your earnings (including overtime) from the four full weeks before your injury. 
• Salaried Employees: Use your annual salary divided by 52 weeks. 
• Commission or Tip-Based Workers: Calculate the average earnings over the 26 weeks prior to the injury. 

Step 2: Calculate the Average Weekly Wage (AWW) 

• Hourly Example: If you earned $800, $850, $900, and $950 in the four weeks before your injury, your total earnings are $3,500. Divide this by 4 to get an AWW of $875. 
• Salaried Example: If your annual salary is $52,000, your AWW is $1,000 ($52,000 ÷ 52 weeks). 

Step 3: Calculate Two-Thirds of Your AWW 

• Multiply your AWW by 0.6667 (which is two-thirds). 
• Example: $875 AWW × 0.6667 = approximately $583 per week. 

Step 4: Apply Maximum and Minimum Limits 

• Ensure your calculated benefit doesn’t exceed the maximum ($845) or fall below the minimum ($225) weekly rates for 2025. 
• Example: If two-thirds of your AWW is $900, you’ll receive the maximum of $845. 

Factors to Consider: 

• Variable Earnings: If your earnings varied significantly, additional calculations might be necessary to find a fair average. 
• Multiple Jobs: If you worked more than one job, only the earnings from the job where you were injured are typically considered. 

By following these steps, you can estimate your expected workers’ comp benefits and identify any discrepancies in what you’re receiving. 

2025 Maximum and Minimum Workers’ Comp Rates in Louisiana 

Understanding the limits on workers’ compensation payments in Louisiana is essential for anyone navigating a work-related injury. Each year, the state updates the maximum and minimum weekly compensation rates to reflect changes in average wages. These rates determine the highest and lowest amounts you can receive each week while you’re unable to work due to your injury. 

Maximum Weekly Compensation Rate 

For 2025, the maximum weekly compensation rate in Louisiana is set at $845. This means that no matter how much you earned before your injury, the most you can receive in workers’ comp benefits is $845 per week. This cap ensures the system remains fair and sustainable for all workers. 

For example, if your average weekly wage was $1,400, two-thirds of that amount is $933. However, because of the maximum limit, you would receive $845 per week instead of $933. 

Minimum Weekly Compensation Rate 

On the other end, the minimum weekly compensation rate for 2025 is $225. This guarantees that workers earning lower wages still receive sufficient support during their recovery. If two-thirds of your average weekly wage falls below $225, you’ll receive the minimum amount. 

For instance, if your average weekly wage was $300, two-thirds of that is $200. Since this is less than the minimum rate, you would receive $225 per week. 

Why These Rates Matter 

These maximum and minimum rates play a crucial role in the workers’ compensation system: 

• Fair Support for All Workers: The maximum rate prevents the system from being overwhelmed by high payouts, ensuring funds are available for everyone who needs them. The minimum rate provides a safety net for lower-wage workers, helping them cover essential living expenses while they’re unable to work. 
• Financial Planning: Knowing these rates helps you anticipate how much income you’ll have during your recovery. This information is vital for budgeting and managing your finances effectively until you’re back on your feet. 

Real-Life Scenarios 

Understanding how these rates apply can be clearer with examples: 

• High Earner Scenario: Imagine you earned an average of $1350 per week before your injury. Two-thirds of your wage is $900. However, because of the 2025 maximum rate, you’ll receive $845 per week, not $900. 
• Low Earner Scenario: Suppose your average weekly wage was $300. Two-thirds of that is $200. Since this is below the minimum rate, you’ll receive $225 per week according to the 2025 guidelines. 

Factors Affecting Your Workers’ Comp Pay 

Several factors can influence the amount and duration of your workers’ comp benefits in Louisiana: 

1. Severity of Injury

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): If you’re completely unable to work for a limited time, you’ll receive benefits until you can return. 
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD): For injuries preventing you from ever returning to work, benefits may continue indefinitely. 
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): If you can work but not at full capacity, benefits may cover the difference in earnings. 
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD): For lasting impairments that don’t completely prevent work, you may receive benefits based on a schedule of injuries. 

2. Type of Disability

• Scheduled Injuries: Specific body parts (like a finger or leg) have predefined compensation amounts. 
• Unscheduled Injuries: Injuries affecting other parts of the body or multiple areas may require more complex evaluations. 

3. Pre-existing Conditions

• If a work injury aggravates a pre-existing condition, it may affect the benefits you receive. However, you may still be entitled to compensation for the exacerbation. 

4. Dependents and Family Status

• While workers’ comp benefits primarily focus on the injured worker, death benefits consider dependents, providing financial support to spouses and children if the worker passes away due to a work-related injury. 

5. Return-to-Work Opportunities

• Light Duty: If your employer offers a lighter or modified job you can perform while recovering, your benefits may be adjusted based on your new earnings. 

Understanding these factors can help you anticipate changes in your benefits and ensure you’re receiving the correct amount. If you need help applying for benefits, our Louisiana workers’ comp attorneys can give you a free evaluation of your case. 

Staying Informed 

It’s important to stay updated on these rates, especially since they change annually. You can find the most recent information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s official website. Being informed ensures you’re receiving the correct amount and helps you advocate for your rights if discrepancies arise. 

Your Rights and Limitations Under Louisiana Workers’ Comp 

As an injured worker in Louisiana, you have specific rights under the workers’ compensation system: 

Your Rights: 

• Timely Medical Treatment: You have the right to immediate and necessary medical care for your injury. 
• Choice of Doctor: You can choose your treating physician within certain guidelines. 
• Fair Compensation: You’re entitled to receive the correct amount of benefits based on your average weekly wage. 
• Dispute Resolution: If you disagree with a decision, you can file a claim with the Louisiana Workforce Commission. 

Limitations: 

• Cannot Sue Employer: Generally, you cannot file a lawsuit against your employer for a work-related injury; workers’ comp is the exclusive remedy. 
• Benefit Caps: There’s a maximum limit on weekly benefits and total compensation for certain injuries. 
• Reporting Deadlines: You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days and file a claim within one year to be eligible for benefits. 

Being aware of your rights and the system’s limitations helps you navigate the process more effectively and ensures you receive all benefits you’re entitled to. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Comp Pay in Louisiana 

Q1: What is the maximum workers’ comp pay in Louisiana? 

A: For 2025, the maximum weekly benefit is $845. No matter how high your earnings were, you cannot receive more than this amount per week. 

Q2: Does workers’ comp cover my full wages? 

A: No, workers’ comp in Louisiana covers two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum limits. 

Q3: How long can I receive workers’ comp benefits? 

A: The duration varies based on the severity of your injury and type of disability. Temporary benefits last until you return to work or reach maximum medical improvement. Permanent disability benefits can last longer, depending on the case. 

Q4: Can I work another job while receiving workers’ comp? 

A: Working another job may affect your benefits and could be considered fraud if not reported. Always consult with an attorney before making such decisions.

Q5: What if my workers’ comp claim is denied? 

A: You have the right to appeal the decision. It’s advisable to consult a workers’ comp attorney to help you navigate the appeals process and advocate on your behalf. 

Call Us With Questions About Workers’ Comp  

If you’re unsure whether you’re receiving the correct benefits or if you have questions about how these rates apply to your situation, reach out to a top Louisiana Workers’ Comp legal team. We can provide guidance and help ensure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to under Louisiana law. 

Remember: These limits are in place to support you during a challenging time. Understanding them empowers you to make the best decisions for your financial well-being while you focus on recovery. 

Many times, the insurance company will miscalculate your benefits—and underpay you. 

If this happens, and if the insurance company fails to correct it quickly, they may have to pay a penalty in addition to the past-due amounts you are owed. 

Talk to one of the lawyers at Workers’ Compensation, LLC, if you feel your checks aren’t arriving like they should, or your benefits are lower than they should be, we will make sure you’re receiving the maximum amount you’re entitled to under law—so you can start to move forward in your life after your job injury. 

Need Help Navigating Your Workers’ Comp Claim? 

Understanding workers’ comp laws can be challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. If you’re unsure about your benefits, calculations, or if you’re facing delays and denials, our experienced team at Workers’ Compensation, LLC is here to help. 

We’ve assisted thousands of Louisiana workers in securing the benefits and settlements they deserve. Let us advocate for your rights so you can focus on healing. 

Contact Us Today!