Free Mississippi workers compensation calculator for 2026. MS has among the lowest max weekly benefits in America. Estimate TTD and PPD using section 71-3-17 schedule and 450-week cap.
This site is operated by Mustafa Bilgic, an individual based in Adiyaman, Turkiye. The operator is NOT a licensed attorney, NOT a law firm, and does NOT provide legal advice. This page is informational research compiled from public statutes, agency guidance, and legal-education sources. Verify current law with the official state publisher and consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.
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No fake verdicts, invented averages, or testimonials. Dollar examples are hypothetical only. Verify rates with Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission (MWCC).
Mississippi pays among the lowest maximum weekly workers' compensation benefits in the United States. The state caps TTD at 66 2/3 percent of the state average weekly wage, a formula that produces a ceiling well below neighboring states like Tennessee or Louisiana. Despite the low dollar cap, Mississippi gives injured workers the right to choose their own treating physician, a benefit that most Southern states deny. The Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission (MWCC) administers all claims through an administrative hearing system.
| Rule | Mississippi (MS) |
|---|---|
| TTD rate | 66 2/3% of AWW |
| Max weekly formula | 66 2/3% of SAWW (among lowest nationally) |
| Waiting period | 5 days |
| Retroactive threshold | 14 days (if disability exceeds 14 days, first 5 days also paid) |
| Statute of limitations | 2 years from injury date |
| Notice | 30 days written notice to employer |
| System | Administrative (MWCC commission and administrative judges) |
| Settlement approval | Commission approval required for all compromise settlements |
| Doctor choice | Employee may choose treating physician (one of few Southern states allowing this) |
| Coverage threshold | 5+ employees |
| Governing law | Miss. Code Ann. Title 71, Chapter 3 |
| Notable rule | Maximum weekly TTD rate is 66 2/3% of SAWW, producing one of the lowest benefit ceilings in the nation. 450-week cap on most ongoing benefits. |
Under Miss. Code Ann. section 71-3-17, TTD pays 66 2/3 percent of the injured worker's average weekly wage, subject to both a maximum and minimum. The MWCC publishes the maximum rate annually. A worker earning well above the state average receives only the cap amount, which can be hundreds of dollars less per week than the same worker would receive in Tennessee or Kentucky.
Mississippi imposes a 5-day waiting period before benefits begin. If disability extends beyond 14 days, those initial 5 days are compensated retroactively. The 450-week statutory ceiling applies to temporary partial disability and permanent total disability, meaning even a permanently and totally disabled worker faces an eventual cutoff in most cases. Funeral expenses are capped at $5,000 (FindLaw confirmed).
Scheduled weeks for permanent partial disability. Verify with Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission (MWCC).
| Body part | Weeks |
|---|---|
| Thumb | 60 |
| Index finger | 35 |
| Middle finger | 30 |
| Ring finger | 25 |
| Little finger | 15 |
| Hand | 150 |
| Arm | 200 |
| Great toe | 30 |
| Foot | 125 |
| Leg | 175 |
| Eye | 100 |
| Hearing (one ear) | 50 |
| Hearing (both) | 150 |
Educational estimate only. Verify rates with Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission (MWCC).
Mississippi's benefit ceiling compresses the expected value of every workers' compensation claim downward. Because the maximum weekly TTD rate is lower than in 48 of 50 states, the economic loss component of a settlement is smaller even when the injury is severe. Workers with above-average wages lose a larger share of pre-injury income compared to workers in the same situation in neighboring states.
The 450-week cap (roughly 8.6 years) means a worker still disabled after that period must rely on SSDI, savings, or family support. Mississippi has no Second Injury Fund and no supplemental earnings benefit system like Louisiana. Legislative proposals to raise the cap have been introduced periodically but have not passed as of this page's date.
Unlike Alabama, South Carolina, and most other Southern states in this group, Mississippi gives the injured worker the right to choose a treating physician. This is significant because the treating physician's opinion on maximum medical improvement, impairment rating, and work capacity often determines the settlement value. In employer-controlled medical states, workers sometimes face the challenge of a company-selected doctor who assigns a lower impairment rating.
All compromise settlements must be approved by the MWCC. The Commission reviews the proposed terms to ensure the settlement is fair and not coerced. Once approved, the settlement is final and binding. Mississippi does not permit informal side agreements that bypass Commission oversight.
The most common settlement structure is lump-sum, though structured payments are also possible. Because benefit rates are low, many workers prefer a lump-sum that provides immediate capital rather than extended weekly payments at the cap rate.
Mississippi stands out by allowing the injured worker to select the treating physician. Under section 71-3-15, the employer is responsible for providing medical treatment, but the employee has the right to choose the doctor. If the employer objects, the dispute goes to the Commission.
The employer must pay for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to the work injury. There is no statutory panel system. The Commission can order a change if the selected doctor provides excessive or unnecessary treatment.
Mississippi ties its maximum to 66 2/3 percent of the state average weekly wage, which is among the lowest in the nation. Because SAWW reflects overall wage levels, the resulting cap is well below states using 100 or 110 percent of SAWW.
Yes. Mississippi gives injured workers the right to choose their own treating physician. The employer must pay for treatment from the worker's chosen doctor unless the Commission orders otherwise.
Mississippi caps temporary partial disability and permanent total disability at 450 weeks (approximately 8.6 years). Ongoing payments end after that period even if disability continues.
Written notice to your employer within 30 days. You then have 2 years from the injury date to file a formal claim with the MWCC.
Five days. Benefits begin on day 6. If disability lasts more than 14 days, the first 5 days are paid retroactively.
No. Workers with pre-existing conditions may face apportionment adjustments, but there is no separate state fund to supplement benefits.
No. SettlementCalculator.xyz is operated by Mustafa Bilgic, a non-attorney individual operator. Consult a licensed Mississippi attorney for legal advice.
Visit the MWCC at mwcc.ms.gov or contact their office directly. Rates are published annually.