What Is A Body Part Worth In The World Of Worker's Comp?

By John Dodge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- How much is a testicle worth?

Or a middle finger?

An eye?

In Illinois, a man who loses one of the gonads is entitled to around $73,000 in worker's compensation, if the incident happens while at work.

The middle finger is worth just under $52,000, which doesn't account for the loss of an important physical expression.

An eye, will generate compensation of $235,000.

All of the figures, compiled by ProPublica, are well above the national average.

The exception is the ear, which generates only $1,600 above the national average.

People who live in Indiana, but risk injury on the job in Illinois, are much better off that way. Payments are significantly higher here in Illinois, compared with the Hoosier state.