Types of Work Related Shoulder Injuries

You should be receiving treatment for ALL of your injuries, not just the ones the insurance company wants to accept.

Shoulder injuries are a common occupational hazard. Although OSHA has established a set of safety guidelines for workers to follow, accidents can and do happen. It is also the nature of the job that can cause shoulder injuries, despite the safety precautions that are taken. Employees that work long hours with repetitive arm movements or in dangerous conditions, can sustain shoulder injuries and this may place the responsibility on the employer.

Types of Shoulder Injuries

Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. It helps to lift and rotate the arm and to stabilize the shoulder within the joint. A rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury in the workplace and can cause a lot of pain and disability. A torn rotator cuff will weaken your shoulder, which can make doing daily activities difficult.

Impingement
This is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain for workers that use their hands above shoulder level to perform their job duties. It occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles become irritated and inflamed as they pass through the subacromial space. This can result in a lot of pain and even result in the loss of arm movement at the shoulder.

Shoulder Fractures and Trauma
There are 3 bones in the shoulder: the scapula, the clavicle and the humerus. There are 3 joints in the shoulder: the glenohumeral joint, the acromioclavicular joint and the sternoclavicular joint. Common injuries to these areas are fractures, dislocations and soft-tissue injuries. Falling in the work place is a common way to fracture or dislocate ones shoulder.

What Should You Do if you Injure Your Shoulder at Work?

If you sustain a shoulder injury due to an accident the first thing you should do is report the injury to your employer. It may be best to report it in writing in addition to reporting it verbally. Give them details on how and when the injury occurred.

The second thing you should do is get medical care immediately from an employer authorized provider. Keep your employer informed of the diagnosis and treatment. However, make certain you have a good doctor working for your interests, not trying to make the insurance company happy so that they can maintain a good relationship with the carrier.

It is important to know that Missouri Workers Compensation enables an injured worker to receive medical benefits as well as income benefits. You should be receiving treatment for ALL of your injuries, not just the ones the insurance company wants to accept.

Take Immediate Action!

Insurance companies will often deny benefits. They dispute shoulder injuries by blaming your problems on arthritis or that the injury did not result from a work related incident. If your shoulder injury is being disputed, it is important to speak to a Missouri Workers Compensation Lawyer immediately.

Call the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.

For more than 30 years James Hoffmann has represented clients throughout the State of Missouri. If you were injured at work, it is important to speak to a workers compensation lawyer about your legal rights and options. Complete our online case evaluation form to request a free consultation.

Work Related Injuries