Nebraska Workers' Compensation for Loss of Hand Use When the Worker Has One Arm

How Nebraska Calculates Benefits for Loss of Hand Use with a Single Arm

When a Nebraska employee who has only one arm loses the use of that hand, the workers' compensation system treats the injury as a total loss of a functional limb. The benefit is based on the worker's average weekly wage (AWW) and the statutory disability rating for loss of a hand, which is 50 % of the AWW for a total loss of use. Because the employee has no second hand, the rating is not reduced; the loss is considered total for the affected limb.

Key Steps to Secure the Benefit

1. Medical Documentation: A qualified physician must certify that the hand is permanently unusable for work‑related tasks. The report must detail the extent of loss, functional limitations, and why prosthetic or adaptive equipment cannot restore sufficient use.

2. File a Claim Promptly: The employer or employee must submit a First Report of Injury (FROI) to the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court within 30 days of the injury. Late filing can jeopardize eligibility.

3. Benefit Calculation: Once the claim is accepted, the Compensation Commissioner applies the 50 % disability rating to the worker's AWW, then multiplies by the statutory benefit factor (usually 2/3 of the AWW for temporary total disability, or 50 % for permanent total disability). The result is the weekly compensation amount.

Temporary vs. Permanent Benefits

If the loss is expected to be temporary, the worker receives Temporary Total Disability (TTD) at two‑thirds of the AWW until medical clearance for return to work. When the loss is deemed permanent, the worker receives Permanent Total Disability (PTD) at 50 % of the AWW for the remainder of the disability period, which may be lifetime if the impairment is irreversible.

Additional Compensation Options

Beyond wage replacement, the claimant may be eligible for:

• Medical Expense Reimbursement: All reasonable costs for treatment, surgery, and prosthetic devices.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: Assistance with job retraining if the worker cannot return to the previous role.
• Supplemental Compensation: If the worker's earnings drop below the state minimum wage due to the injury, a supplemental payment may be ordered.

Typical Timeline