Nurse Workers Comp Benefits, Settlements & Rates

Nurses have one of the highest rates of work-related back injuries of any profession — higher than construction workers. Patient handling, needlestick injuries, workplace violence, and infectious disease exposure make nursing one of the most claim-heavy healthcare jobs. If you're an RN, LPN, or CNA and got hurt at work, your workers comp rights are broader than you may realize.

Adam Noah · Workers' Comp Research Analyst

Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy

About the author

Class Code

8829

WC Insurance Rate

$1.75 per $100 of payroll

Risk Level

Medium-High

Example annual premium for nurse with $50,000 annual payroll: $875 per employee. Varies by state, carrier, and experience modifier.

Calculate Your Nurse (RN, LPN, CNA) Workers Comp Benefits

Enter your state and weekly wage to see your estimated workers comp weekly benefit and total projected payout.

Step 1 of 2Your Situation

Your Situation

Tell us about your state and wages to calculate your benefits.

What state did the injury occur in? *

When did the injury occur?

Optional — helps calculate your waiting period start date.

What is your average weekly wage? *

$/week

Your gross wages for the 13 weeks before injury, divided by 13. Include overtime, bonuses, and tips if they were regular.

Most Common Nurse (RN, LPN, CNA) Workplace Injuries

These are the injury patterns we see most frequently in nurse workers comp claims, ranked by frequency. Click any injury type to see the dedicated settlement calculator for that specific injury.

Injury Type	Frequency	Avg Settlement
Back Injury (Patient Handling)	Very common	$91,844
Shoulder (Patient Transfers)	Very common	$55,000
Needle Stick / Sharps	Common	$28,000
Assault Injuries	Increasing	$75,000
Slip & Fall	Common	$42,000
Repetitive Strain (Wrists)	Common	$29,441

Settlement averages from National Safety Council and state workers comp board data. Your specific settlement depends on severity, state, wage, and case specifics.

Key Facts for Nurse (RN, LPN, CNA)s

•Nurses lift more total weight per shift than most warehouse workers.
•Needlestick injuries trigger HIV/HCV testing protocols paid by workers comp for up to 12 months.
•Many states have presumption laws covering workplace exposure infections for healthcare workers.
•Assault-related injuries in hospitals have doubled since 2020 and are now the 2nd leading cause of nurse claims.
•PTSD from workplace trauma is now compensable in most states for healthcare workers.

Injured On the Job? Get a Free Case Review

A workers' comp attorney can review your claim, negotiate a higher settlement, and protect your job. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Find a Workers' Comp Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions — Nurse (RN, LPN, CNA)

Can nurses claim workers comp for back injuries from patient handling?▾

Yes. Patient-handling back injuries are among the most common workers comp claims in healthcare. Settlements average $91,844 per NSC data, with surgical cases reaching $80,000-$180,000. Document the specific lifting incident immediately.

What happens if I get stuck by a needle at work?▾

Report it immediately and get baseline blood work within 2 hours. Workers comp covers HIV prophylaxis (often $1,500+), HCV/HBV testing, and follow-up testing for 6-12 months. Even if tests are negative, settlements for the mental distress average $15,000-$40,000.

Are nurses covered for injuries from patient assaults?▾

Yes, absolutely. Workplace violence injuries in healthcare are fully covered. Many states have enhanced benefits for assault-related injuries, including automatic PTSD coverage. Assault settlements average $75,000-$125,000.

Can I get workers comp for COVID-19 as a nurse?▾

Most states have presumption laws for healthcare workers — COVID is presumed work-related if you contracted it during a period of patient exposure. This covers medical bills and time off during illness, and death benefits in fatal cases.

Workers Comp for Other Occupations

Construction Worker

Code 5403

Warehouse Worker

Code 8292

Truck Driver

Code 7228 / 7229

Restaurant Worker

Code 9082 / 9083

Roofer

Code 5551

Manufacturing Worker

Code 2710 / 3632 / various

Retail Worker

Code 8017 / 8018

Healthcare Worker

Code 8832 / 8833

Office Worker

Code 8810

Electrician

Code 5190

Delivery Driver

Code 7380

Amazon Worker

Code 7380 / varies

Firefighter

Code 7710

Police Officer

Code 7720

Teacher

Code 8868

Gig Worker (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart)

Code varies

Disclaimer: Workers comp insurance rates are approximate national averages and vary significantly by state, insurer, and employer experience modifier. Settlement ranges are estimates based on NSC and state data. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for your specific situation. Last updated: April 2026.