One of the most frequently seen workers' compensation claims involves the shoulder. This is primarily because the shoulder is one of the most heavily used joints in the body. When individuals do a great deal of heavy lifting, or lifting above the head, they run the risk of seriously injuring the rotator cuff or the shoulder muscles.
At the Law Offices of James F. Aspell, P.C., our Farmington shoulder injury attorney has extensive experience helping injured individuals. People who are injured in the workplace while performing job tasks might be entitled to workers' compensation. Workers' compensation benefits pay employees for lost wages and medical bills so they can remain financially stable while focusing on getting healthy. If you have questions, or were denied your workers' compensation claim, contacting an experienced attorney is a wise decision.
What Causes Shoulder And Rotator Cuff Injuries?
Workplace shoulder injuries are typically caused in one of two ways.
- Repetitive use: On the job, individuals are often called upon to repeat the same task — lifting, moving, placing, reaching — over and over again for months, years and decades. The human body was not designed to absorb this type of repeated strain. Often, this repetitive motion can cause unnecessary strain on the joint and muscle.
- Specific trauma: It is common for one violent accident to have devastating consequences. By attempting to lift a dangerously heavy item, falling from scaffolding or tripping and falling against a work table, a worker can seriously damage the shoulder. This specific instance of trauma can lead to lingering pain and loss of range of motion.
Shoulder injuries can have long-lasting effects. Without getting into too much detail, the shoulder muscles are very poorly vascularized. This means that the blood flow is lacking, and healing takes longer than it would to other muscle groups. Individuals who suffer a shoulder injury might never get the full overhead use of their arm, or struggle with a loss of range of motion. It is crucial to contact a skilled workers' compensation attorney to ensure you are properly compensated for your injury.