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Elbow and Arm Injuries

Connecticut Workers' Compensation for Arm and Elbow Injuries

Arm and elbow injuries can happen at almost any type of job, even one that does not require heavy lifting or a significant amount of mobility. In fact, work-related aggravations of pre-existing injuries that worsen a condition can often be classified as workers' compensation claims. The value in permanent disability payments for a workers' compensation settlement for an elbow injury will vary depending on the severity of the injury, whether other body parts were injured, if there was a pre-existing condition, and to what extent the injury will heal. By speaking to a Connecticut workers compensation attorney, you can get the legal information you need to understand and make an informed decision about your work injury.

Common Arm and Elbow Injuries 

Arm and elbow injuries are commonly seen in individuals who are performing tasks causing great and/or repeated physical stress to their bodies. This can range from strenuous hammering or drilling to the repeated strain of typing or assembling. Because of the strain placed on the arm and elbow due to these kinds of activities, there are several common injuries that occur as a result:

  • Bursitis – An inflammation of the bursa (a small sac acting as a cushion between bones and other moving parts like muscles, tendons, or skin) caused by overusing a joint
  • Tendinitis – Severe swelling of the tendons after repeated injury causing pain and soreness around joints that often occurs in the wrist and elbow
  • Tennis elbow – Tennis elbow results from overuse and muscle strain around the elbow caused by repeated contraction of the muscles used to straighten and raise your hand and wrist. This can cause
  • Breaks/Fractures – A fracture or break in a bone usually occurs from a single accident and can cause intense pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and problems moving a limbSprains/Strains – A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament, and a strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Both commonly arise from twisting or pulling although a sprain can also occur from a fall or getting hit by something. They often cause pain, swelling, and trouble moving joints or muscles.
  • Dislocation – An elbow dislocation happens when the elbow bones move out of place from the elbow joint, often occurring when an individual tries to break a fall with an outstretched hand while the arm is held straight. Usually results in severe elbow pain, swelling and bruising of the elbow and arm, numbness, muscle spasms, and trouble moving the arm.
  • Arthritis – The swelling and tenderness of one or more joints causing pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and a decreased range of motion

Industries Where Arm Injuries are Prevalent

Most workplace arm and elbow injuries involving strains and tears occur in industries that require individuals to overexert themselves by engaging in repetitive or strenuous motion. This is common in factories and warehouses, and can also occur in an office setting where repetitive cutting, filing, or typing can result in stress to the arm and/or elbow.

Other industries such as landscaping, plumbing, painting, cooking, and carpentry also have high occurrences of arm and elbow injuries due to individuals having to work in awkward positions, and where the job requires an employee to engage in strenuous repetitive motions that can cause long term strain and limitation of movements. These fields also involve the use of certain tools and methods which can cause repetitive trauma from constant movement and vibration.

While these types of injuries are more common in those settings, an arm or elbow injury can occur in almost any workplace setting due to a slip and fall from spills, icy patches in the parking lot, damaged flooring, etc.

Medical Treatment

Treatment for arm and elbow injuries usually starts with a physical examination by a doctor to determine the causes of the pain and how best to treat it. During this process, the doctor will look for any abnormalities, swelling, muscle weakness, or tender areas as well as testing for mobility and strength. The doctor may also order specific tests to help identify the causes of the pain such as an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, etc.

While some of these injuries can heal in a short amount of time with proper care such as rest, altering activities, exercise, and medication, some may require surgery, such as "Tommy John" surgery or open elbow surgery, and a long period of recovery time away from work.

In certain situations, an injury may be so severe that it prevents an individual from returning to the same profession, commonly seen in industries such as construction and manufacturing. Regardless of what type of medical treatment is required for that specific injury, it is advisable to file a workers' compensation claim and seek treatment early.

Benefits to Having Legal Representation

Filing a claim is only the first step on the road to recovering the benefits you may be owed. It can be a long and complicated process if you don't know how to navigate the system. For example, failing to present the evidence needed in support of your claims or missing a filing deadline can result in a delay in receiving benefits or even a denial of your claim. There are very strict timelines for filing and evaluating a workers' compensation claim and delays can be common in situations where the insurance company sees the need to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the injury.

An experienced Connecticut Workers' Compensation attorney can help injured workers suffering from arm and elbow pain receive the full range of benefits to which they are entitled. The attorneys at James F. Aspell, P.C. have spent decades representing injured workers in arm and elbow injuries. A knowledgeable and thoughtful legal strategy can go a long way toward a successful outcome.

Recently, Aspelllaw represented an injured worker who worked in a warehouse who suffered from neck and right arm pain.  These symptoms came on after repetitive, physical activity moving and stacking boxes.   Initially, the thought was the neck was the cause of the symptoms.  After pushing to secure the appropriate nerve study testing, it was determined that the symptoms were really due to an elbow injury.  We helped secure authorization for a minimally invasive elbow surgery, and after surgery and post-operative surgical medical treatment, our client was able to return to work without restriction.   Thereafter, we secured a final medical and permanent disability Award for our client.  This is just an example of a successful outcome for an injured worker with an arm and elbow injury.

If you have a Connecticut work related elbow injury, call us anytime for a free consultation.  860-523-8783

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