Shoulder injuries impact over 63,100 workers per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lifting, pushing and simply repeating the same motion as part of your work duties can all cause shoulder injuries.
You may suffer from a minor injury that keeps you out of work for a few weeks, or your injury may be serious enough to require surgery.
If your injury is related to your job or occurred at work, filing a shoulder workers’ compensation claim will provide you with:
- Financial benefits
- Medical benefits
- Potential settlement
Your employer should have workers’ compensation insurance as long as they have three workers and are not on the short list of excluded occupations. Workers’ comp will cover your necessary diagnostic testing, hospital bills, rehabilitation costs and surgeries.
Call 404-521-2667 or fill out our form for a free consultation.
Types of Shoulder Injuries that Employees Suffer at Work
You use your shoulders all the time when mopping the floor, picking up objects, working on machinery, in construction – with most movements you make. Shoulders are comprised of muscles, tendons and ligaments, and you can even hurt the shoulder joint.
For example, let’s say that Adriana works as a custodian. One day, she was putting heavy boxes away at work and lifting them above her head when she hurt her shoulder. She heard a “pop” sound and felt extreme pain. Further diagnosis showed that she had partially torn her rotator cuff.
Doctors stated that the repetitive motion that she had been doing for over 20 years caused degeneration and a partial rotator cuff tear.
Adriana will now have to file a workers’ comp claim for her shoulder injury, which will require:
- Physical therapy
- Non-surgical treatment
Her doctor wants to take a conservative approach to her treatment before recommending potential surgery.
Any number of shoulder injuries can occur at work, including:
- Bursitis: Between your shoulder tissue and bone is your bursa, which can become inflamed. Friction causes inflammation, and if infection occurs, it can also lead to further complications.
- Dislocation: Your shoulder socket connects your upper arm bone, which, when dislocated, will pop out of place.
- Fractures: Falls or impact injuries can cause shoulder fractures.
- Frozen shoulder: Stiffness, pain and loss of mobility can occur if the tissue surrounding the shoulder thickens.
- Impingement: Weakness and pain can be caused by impingement or irritation of the muscles and tendons in the shoulder.
- Rotator cuff: A rotator cuff can become partially or fully torn and even damaged with repetitive motions.
Your shoulder injury may require any number of treatments, from rest and icing the area to potential surgery.
What Types of Workplace Accidents Cause Shoulder Injuries?
Shoulder injuries can occur for many reasons:
- Lifting and pushing are common causes of workplace injury. Light lifting can cause repetitive motion injuries, while heavy lifting items can easily cause muscle strains.
- Awkward movements. If your job requires you to maintain awkward positions, it may put additional strain on your shoulders and cause pain. Workers in the plumbing, construction and roofing industries are prone to these types of injuries, but even office workers with poor workstation ergonomics can suffer this type of injury.
- Slip and fall accident. Falling from a ladder, roof or great heights can cause shoulder injuries. Workers can also slip on slick surfaces or uneven flooring and land on their shoulders, leading to injuries and pain.
- Impact. Some industries, like manufacturing and construction, have a higher risk of impact accidents. Workers are at risk of being struck by objects or being injured by machinery.
These are the most common types of accidents that cause shoulder injuries, but any type of accident can cause this type of injury. Repetitive motion can also lead to shoulder injuries.
What Steps Should I Take If I Injured My Shoulder at Work?
If you injured your shoulder at work, whether due to repetitive motion or an accident, it is crucial to file for workers’ compensation as soon as possible.
You may be entitled to vital benefits that will cover the cost of your medical care and lost income.
The steps you take immediately following your injury are important and can have a direct effect on your claim. Make sure that you:
- Inform your manager or supervisor in writing about your injury within 30 days of the incident or discovery of the injury. Georgia workers are required to give their employers notice of their injury within this window of time, or they risk losing their benefits.
- Make an appointment with an authorized provider. It is crucial to see a doctor about your shoulder injury as soon as possible to start the treatment and documentation process. If you wait to seek treatment, the insurance company may claim that your injury isn’t work-related. Your employer will provide you with a list of authorized physicians to choose from.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations. Make sure that you’re attending all follow-up appointments and getting the treatments you need for your injury. Do not return to work until your doctor gives you the green light to do so.
- Work with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to file a claim. Consulting with an attorney early on in the process is crucial. An attorney can help you navigate the claim process, explain your options and fight to ensure that you receive the benefits you need and deserve.
Workers’ compensation claims can be complex. If the insurance company tries to deny or delay your claim, you may miss out on vital benefits to cover the cost of medical care and lost wages. Having an attorney by your side is crucial.
How We Can Help with Your Workers’ Compensation Claim
At The Law Offices of Darwin F. Johnson, we fight for injured workers across Georgia to ensure they get the compensation they are entitled to and deserve. We never back down from bullying insurance companies that try to deny claims or keep workers from getting the full benefits they need.
If you suffered a shoulder injury at work, contact us today or call us to schedule a free consultation.
We work on a contingency basis, so you won’t pay a dime unless we win or settle your case.
