Types of work-related shoulder injuries
There are many different types of work-related shoulder injuries, and they each vary in severity. Some of the injuries can be due to an accident, lifting heavy materials, or repetitive stress injuries at the workplace.
The most common types of shoulder injuries at work are:
- Tendonitis. Tendonitis occurs when the tendons in the shoulder become inflamed due to repetitive motions or overuse. This condition causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the shoulder, particularly when moving the arm or lifting objects.
- Dislocation. When the upper arm pops out of the shoulder socket, it causes a dislocation. Once your shoulder has been dislocated once, your shoulder joint is weakened, and you are more susceptible to future dislocations.
- Fractures. This is when the bones break due to the exertion of a lot of pressure. At times, the fracture might not reach the skin, whereas sometimes the broken bone punctures the skin (called an open fracture).
- Rotator cuff tears. A group of muscles and tendons called the rotator cuffs is responsible for your shoulder’s stability. When you have a tear in your rotator cuff, your shoulder might ache, your arm could weaken, and you might have issues raising your arm or sleeping on it.
- Bursitis. The shoulder muscles, ligaments, and tendons have a cushion-like fluid sac known as bursae. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, and it typically causes pain in the whole shoulder.
- Impingement. If your rotator cuff tendons are weak and you overwork them, you can suffer an impingement injury. When workers have to strain to raise their arms over their shoulders, that might be a symptom of a shoulder impingement injury.
Can I receive workers’ compensation in North Carolina for a work-related shoulder injury?
If your shoulder was injured at work, you should seek medical attention and notify your employer, then fill out a workers’ compensation claim form. When injured, you may need treatment and rest from work. This compensation claim will help pay for your medical bills, as well as the wages you will lose while undergoing treatment and recovery.
In North Carolina, it’s the responsibility of most employers to purchase workers’ compensation. As long as you file a workers’ compensation claim for a qualifying injury, you should receive payments. Whether the injury was temporary or permanent, you will still get compensation.
There is no fixed amount for how much a settlement for a shoulder injury at work is worth. Ultimately, the amount you get will depend on various factors, including how severe the injury was, how much time you took to recover, and how much your medical bills are.
If you are hurt at work, don’t wait too long to file your workers’ compensation claim. Once your claim has been approved, you should receive a settlement either as a lump sum or a structured payment. The lump-sum settlement will be a one-time payment, whereas in the structured settlement, you will get the benefits weekly or monthly for a specified period.
If your workers’ comp claim is denied or the compensation being offered isn’t enough to fully cover your expenses from an occupational shoulder injury, it’s time to consult a work injury attorney near you to learn about your legal rights and options.
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