The Average Workers' Comp Thigh Injury Settlement in 2024

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that more than 16,000 people injured their thighs and hips at work in 2022, with 40% needing a month or more to recover.¹ If you have a thigh injury that is keeping you out of work, workers’ compensation benefits offer payments to cover lost wages and pay your medical bills. In some cases, you could also receive a settlement worth thousands of dollars.

The average workers' comp settlement for a thigh injury

The average workers’ comp settlement for a thigh injury is over $60,000, according to data from the National Safety Council (NSC). Included in that amount is about $24,400 of indemnity payments (to cover lost wages) and about $35,700 to cover medical expenses.²

This is a national average, so your thigh injury could settle for more or less depending on your situation. As a general rule, the longer your recovery is or the more medical care you need, the higher your potential payout is.

Since older workers take longer to recover and miss more work time on average, they can usually negotiate a higher settlement. Injuries that affect multiple body parts — like your pelvis or legs in addition to your thigh — can also lead to higher settlements. Injuries that require surgery also increase the likelihood of an above-average settlement.

When thigh injuries qualify for workers’ comp

A thigh injury will qualify for workers’ compensation as long as:

• Your injury happened at work or was a direct result of doing your job.

• Your injury left you unable to do your job for at least a few days.

• You quickly reported the injury to your employer.

The first step after an injury is to report it to your employer. That could mean your boss, supervisor, or someone in human resources (HR). You have a limited number of days to report your injury. Missing the deadline could mean you can't get benefits, regardless of how serious your injury is.

Do all workers qualify?

Only regular employees can receive workers' comp through their employer. That includes full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers. You can't qualify for benefits as a contractor, freelancer, or gig worker.

Common workers’ comp thigh injuries

You can qualify for workers’ comp benefits with any injury that causes weakness, pain, stiffness, or decreased mobility in one or both thighs. A one-time accident (like slipping and falling) can qualify, but so can chronic conditions and injuries that develop over years. The key is that you need to be able to prove your injury happened at work or was related to carrying out your job duties.

Some examples of eligible thigh injuries:

• Contusions

• Fractures, like a broken femur

• Groin strains or injuries

• Hamstring strains

• Hamstring tendon avulsions

• Hernias

• Myositis ossificans

• Nerve damage, like meralgia paresthetica

• Pinched nerves

• Tendonitis

Related hip injuries and pelvis injuries can also qualify for benefits. Unsure if you can get benefits? Report the injury and ask your employer to file a claim anyway to be safe. You can also read more about the types of injuries that usually qualify for workers’ comp.

When will workers’ comp offer a settlement?

All workers' comp cases include wage replacement checks and free medical care, but not all cases end with lump-sum settlements.

The longer your injury keeps you out of work, the higher the chance you can negotiate a settlement. It's particularly common to receive an offer around the time you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). MMI is the point where you've recovered as much as possible through medical care but you haven't returned to your pre-injury condition.

Further reading: When You Will Get a Settlement Offer

What to do if insurance offers to settle

After you receive a settlement offer, you have three main options:

1. Accept the settlement.

2. Reject the offer and continue benefits.

3. Negotiate a better settlement.

Since the insurance company is trying to offer you as little as possible to protect its own profits, most people can benefit from negotiating a higher payment. The best way to ensure you get a fair settlement is to contact a workers' comp lawyer.

Calculating a fair settlement requires estimating the cost of current and future medical care, future lost wages from missed work, and any other costs related to your injury. A lawyer is trained in your state's laws and procedures, so they can help you determine a reasonable amount for your situation. As an example of how much a lawyer helps, the average settlement with an Atticus lawyer is double what claimants receive without a lawyer.

Related: Situations When You Should Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer

How much workers’ comp pays if you don’t settle

Payments in most areas are worth up to two-thirds of your average wages. The initial payments are known as temporary disability benefits and you'll receive them every week or every other week. In addition, the insurer should pay for all necessary medical expenses.

Here's how much workers’ comp pays in your state.

How long workers' comp lasts

Benefits usually end when one of three things happens:

1. You return to work.

2. You reach MMI or transition to long-term payments.

3. You agree to a settlement.

Once you reach MMI — meaning you’ve recovered as much as possible but don't return to your pre-injury condition — you can transition to what are known as permanent disability benefits. How long those last depends on the state you live in, the part of your body that was injured, and the disability rating you received from the workers’ comp doctor.

See how long workers’ comp lasts in your state.

Do you need a workers’ comp lawyer?

You can file a workers' comp claim without a lawyer. We recommend talking to one because they can simplify the process for you, while ensuring that insurance pays you the full benefits you're entitled to. A good lawyer can help you get additional medical care, file paperwork, manage appeals, and represent you in any court hearings. A lawyer will also have the experience needed to negotiate a fair settlement for you.

Reputable workers’ comp lawyers are also affordable. For example, all Atticus lawyers offer a free consultation and require no upfront payment. You only pay their fee after you win benefits or get your settlement. And since the average settlement with an Atticus lawyer is double what people get on their own, you'll end up earning money even after paying the lawyer fee.

To get clear answers to your questions, start with our 3-minute workers' comp quiz. A member of our team will reach out to learn more about your situation and connect you with a lawyer if it's a good fit for your case.

Find a local workers' comp lawyer

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