Hurting your shoulder can put you out of work entirely while you recover, making it difficult for you to get the money you need to cover your medical bills and lost earnings. Filing a claim through the workers’ compensation system may be possible — and give you access to much needed benefits — if you are a qualifying employee and get hurt while on the clock. Instead of trying to sift through the complex legal requirements on your own, consider teaming up with a shoulder injury attorney who can help.
At Williams & Roche, LLC, we are unwavering supporters of hard-working South Carolinians who get hurt in a fall, crash, or due to repetitive trauma at their workplace. A shoulder injury attorney at our Columbia, SC, team would be happy to meet with you to discuss your legal needs and what we might be able to do to help.
How Do Shoulder Injuries Occur at Work?
A shoulder injury can occur at work in several common contexts. For example, someone might misjudge how much something weighs when lifting it and awkwardly twist their shoulder in the process of trying to pick it up. Or they might trip on stray equipment left on the floor and land on their side, tearing their rotator cuff.
Shoulder pain and injuries can also happen through repetitive trauma — i.e., through repeating the same motions day in and day out as part of their job. Likewise, repeated exposure to force or vibration — such as from using a jackhammer — can also wear down someone’s body, especially their joints.
Types of Shoulder Injuries Suffered on the Job
According to the National Library of Medicine, shoulder pain is a common joint issue that many people experience for a variety of reasons. For example, as Johns Hopkins Medicine describes, someone may fracture, sprain, or wear down their acromioclavicular joint — the joint in the shoulder that includes the collarbone and the shoulder blade. These issues may cause the person to develop spurs on the bones themselves and can limit the person’s range of motion.
Rotator cuff injuries are also common among workers, and they can cause significant discomfort and physical limitations during the healing process. Likewise, dislocating a shoulder completely may occur, especially in physically demanding work environments.
How Do Shoulder Injuries Impact Workers?
Hurting one or both of your shoulders can keep you from doing daily tasks you could easily have done before the incident. For example, if you dislocate your right shoulder, you may not be able to use your right arm until it fully recovers. Similarly, tearing your rotator cuff may mean you cannot earn the salary you could before until you heal. In some cases, a torn rotator cuff may never fully return to its pre-injury condition, meaning you have to manage long-term limitations.
On top of the physical consequences, those with a shoulder injury also have to manage the social, psychological, and financial impacts of their situation. For example, they might have to miss out on opportunities to see their loved ones because they are stuck at home recovering. Or they might not be able to earn as much money as they could before the accident, which only adds to the regular stressors of daily life.
Receiving a workers’ comp shoulder injury settlement can help the person regain their agency and sense of purpose after a job-related incident. Additionally, accessing these funds helps them to make ends meet and get the medical attention they need during the recovery process.
How Can You Tell if a Shoulder Injury Is Serious?
As the Mayo Clinic explains, a shoulder injury may be serious or a sign of something severe if it involves tightening of the chest or an inability to breathe. Additionally, if your shoulder looks misshapen or has pain that does not get better with rest and ice, it may be time to see a doctor.
Likewise, as the Mayo Clinic cautions, if you cannot move your shoulder or there is sudden swelling or pain, an urgent trip to the doctor may be necessary. When you visit the doctor, make sure to tell the staff that your injury is from a work accident or exposure.
Workers’ Comp Shoulder Injury Settlements
A workers’ comp shoulder injury settlement can help you and your family support yourselves financially while you are on the mend. The Workers’ Compensation Commission makes decisions about compensation packages on a case-by-case basis. They base their decisions on the applicable law and the unique circumstances each person is going through.
The financial award someone might receive could include their healthcare costs, supplemental wages, and permanent disability payments. Under South Carolina law, someone who loses a shoulder may qualify to receive 66 and two-thirds percent of their average weekly wages for 300 weeks (a little over five and a half years).
Williams & Roche, LLC: Representing Those Who Suffered a Shoulder Injury at Work
At our law firm, we have extensive experience on all sides of the equation of workers’ compensation cases. Both of our founding attorneys worked on the Workers’ Compensation Commission, the organization that oversees and makes decisions in job injury claims in South Carolina. Serving in this role gave both of our founding attorneys the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the claims process from a Commissioner’s perspective. Our founding attorneys call on their time on the Commission to guide them as they seek to create compelling arguments to help their clients.
Contact an Experienced Columbia Work Injury Attorney
Being unable to use your shoulder or arm because of something that happened at work can feel frustrating and limiting. You may have the option to secure a compensation package by filing a claim with your employer’s insurance provider. A shoulder injury attorney can provide valuable insight and guidance as you try to figure out what your options are and how to exercise your rights effectively.
The Williams & Roche, LLC, team is here to help you on your journey and bring you closer to accessing what you need to try to get you back to where you were before the incident. Call a shoulder injury lawyer at our Columbia, South Carolina office today by calling 803.784.0503 to set up an initial consultation.
