Calculate Schedule Loss of Use benefits for extremity injuries under New York Workers' Compensation Law §15(3). Includes prior award deductions, attorney fee, and net to claimant.
Schedule Loss of Use (SLU) is a fixed benefit available to injured workers in New York State under Workers' Compensation Law §15(3). Unlike permanent partial disability benefits, SLU provides a predetermined number of weeks of benefits based on the specific body part injured and the degree of permanent loss of use.
Many injured workers think of the SLU award as their "settlement" — if you've been searching for a NYS workers' comp settlement chart for an arm, hand, leg, or foot injury, the §15(3) schedule below is that chart, and this calculator turns it into a dollar estimate of your SLU settlement value.
How SLU Works: The law assigns a maximum number of weeks to each body part. The benefit is calculated by multiplying the percentage of loss of use by the maximum weeks for that body part, then multiplying by the worker's SLU rate (2/3 of AWW, capped at the statutory maximum for the date of injury).
Prior Weeks Paid at TT (PHP): Weeks paid at the temporary total rate during the healing period may be credited and added to the SLU calculation, depending on the body part schedule.
Attorney Fee: Under WCL §24, attorneys are typically awarded 15% of the moving (new money) portion of any SLU award. This calculator shows the full breakdown: total value, prior deduction, moving amount, attorney fee (15%), and net to claimant.
| Body Part | Max Weeks | PHP Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Arm | 312 | 32 |
| Hand | 244 | 32 |
| Leg | 288 | 40 |
| Foot | 205 | 32 |
| Thumb | 75 | 24 |
| 1st Finger (Index) | 46 | 18 |
| 2nd Finger (Middle) | 30 | 12 |
| 3rd Finger (Ring) | 25 | 8 |
| 4th Finger (Pinky) | 15 | 8 |
| Great Toe | 38 | 12 |
| Other Toe (2nd–5th) | 16 | 8 |
| Eye | 160 | 20 |
| One Ear | 60 | 0 |
| Binaural (Both Ears) | 150 | 0 |
PHP = Prior weeks paid at the temporary total (healing) rate, which may be added to the SLU calculation depending on specific circumstances. This WCL §15(3) schedule is what many people mean by the "NYS workers' comp settlement chart" for schedule injuries.
The formula is % loss of use × the body part's maximum weeks × your weekly rate. Your weekly rate is 2/3 of your average weekly wage, capped at the statutory maximum rate for your date of injury.
Worked example: a worker earning $1,200/week has a rate of 2/3 × $1,200 = $800. A doctor finds a 20% loss of use of the arm. The arm carries 312 weeks, so 20% × 312 = 62.4 weeks. The SLU settlement value is 62.4 × $800 = $49,920. With no prior payments, the attorney fee is 15% ($7,488), leaving a net to claimant of $42,432.
Not sure of your wage figure? Establish it first with the free Average Weekly Wage (AWW) calculator under WCL §14.
SLU covers permanent loss of use of extremities and sensory loss — arm, hand, fingers, leg, foot, toes, vision, and hearing. Permanent injuries to the spine, head, or internal systems are compensated instead through a Loss of Wage Earning Capacity (LWEC) classification, which pays a weekly rate over a capped number of weeks rather than a fixed schedule award.
If your permanent injury is to the spine, head, or a body system, estimate your benefits with the free Loss of Wage Earning Capacity (LWEC) calculator.
Go to LWEC CalculatorAn SLU award is a statutory workers' compensation award under WCL §15(3) that compensates permanent loss of use of an extremity, vision, or hearing. The law assigns each body part a maximum number of weeks; your award equals your percentage loss of use multiplied by those weeks, multiplied by your weekly rate.
Many injured workers call their SLU award a settlement, and the schedule of weeks by body part is often searched for as a settlement chart. Strictly, an SLU award is a statutory award driven by your percentage loss of use — different from a Section 32 settlement, which is a negotiated lump sum that closes the case.
Percentage loss of use × the body part's maximum weeks × your weekly rate (two-thirds of your average weekly wage, capped at the statutory maximum for your date of injury). Example: 20% loss of use of an arm equals 20% of 312 weeks, or 62.4 weeks; at an $800 rate that's a $49,920 award before deductions.
Yes. An SLU award compensates the permanent loss of use itself, so it is payable even if you have returned to work at full pay with no lost time.
Prior payments made in the case are deducted first, and the attorney fee — typically 15% of the moving (new money) amount, subject to Board approval — comes out of the remainder. The net to claimant is what remains.
SLU covers extremities and sensory loss: arm, hand, fingers, leg, foot, toes, vision, and hearing. Permanent injuries to the spine, head, or internal systems are compensated instead through a Loss of Wage Earning Capacity (LWEC) classification.
Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. SLU calculations are based on current New York State Workers' Compensation Law §15(3) and Department of Financial Services regulations. Actual awards are determined by the Workers' Compensation Board and may vary based on medical evidence, hearing decisions, and specific case circumstances. Consult a qualified workers' compensation attorney for guidance on your specific case.