Guides / Elbow-injury value
Guide · 5 min read

How Much Is an Elbow Injury Worth in California Workers’ Comp?

What an elbow or forearm injury pays in California workers’ comp: engine-computed PD percentages and dollars across the WPI range and three occupations, the rating strings behind them, and the apportionment discount.

Elbows and forearms carry every lifting and turning trade — and their ratings turn on measured flexion/extension and rotation loss. The money math from any WPI is fixed, computed here by the rating engine.

How elbow injuries are measured

The AMA Guides rate the elbow and forearm (impairment number 16.03.01.00 for range of motion) from flexion/extension and pronation/supination deficits, with nerve entrapments (cubital tunnel) and weakness rated separately. Rough anchors: modest stiffness runs single digits WPI; combined loss reaches the teens; fusions and failed hardware run higher.

The money table

Final PD and total indemnity at age 42–46, 2026 injury, maximum PD rate, single impairment, before apportionment:

WPIClerical · 111Custodian · 340Carpenter · 380
3%4% · $3,4805% · $4,3508% · $6,960
6%9% · $7,83010% · $8,772.5013% · $12,252.50
10%15% · $14,64517% · $17,54521% · $23,345
14%21% · $23,34523% · $26,24529% · $36,177.50
18%27% · $32,697.5030% · $37,99035% · $48,140
22%33% · $44,08036% · $50,17042% · $62,350
10% WPI · group 111 · clerical
100% (16.03.01.00 - 10 - [1.4]14 - 111F - 14 - 15) = 15% PD · $14,645
10% WPI · group 380 · carpenter
100% (16.03.01.00 - 10 - [1.4]14 - 380I - 20 - 21) = 21% PD · $23,345

Verify either string in the rating-string decoder.

Apportionment

Carpenter · 14% WPI · 20% non-industrial
The unapportioned rating is 29% PD ($36,177.50); an 80% industrial finding makes it 23% PD · $26,245 — a $9,932.50 discount. See how apportionment works.

What this table can’t tell you

Elbows travel with wrists and shoulders on the same arm — multiple parts combine on the CVC rather than add, wages below the maximum scale the dollars down, and settlements price future medical beyond any table. Companion pages: back · knee · shoulder · neck · hip · wrist · ankle · foot · hand. Estimates for informational use; not legal or medical advice.

Rate your elbow right here

Same engine as the tables above — pick your occupation and age, slide the WPI from the report, and carry it into the full calculator when you’re ready.

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FAQ

How much is an elbow injury worth in California workers’ comp?
It depends on whole-person impairment, occupation, and age. At the 2026 maximum PD rate a 3% WPI elbow rates 4–8% PD ($3,480–$6,960) depending on occupation, while a 22% WPI elbow rates up to 42% PD ($62,350) for a carpenter, before apportionment.
What is cubital tunnel or elbow surgery worth?
A released cubital tunnel or clean fracture with a good result commonly rates low-to-mid single digits WPI; significant motion loss or hardware reaches the teens. Engine-computed, 6–10% WPI runs $7,830–$23,345 at the 2026 max depending on occupation.
Does arthritis reduce an elbow rating?
Often — §4663 apportionment. In our computed example a 20% non-industrial finding turns a 29% PD carpenter rating into 23%: $36,177.50 becomes $26,245.
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