Waldorf Workplace Shoulder Injury Lawyers

Attorneys for Workers' Compensation Claims Involving Shoulder Injuries in Waldorf, MD

The shoulder is a complex joint. It may be used constantly when a person is working as they lift and carry objects, reach for items, and push or pull. While the shoulders are essential for performing physical work, they can also be at risk of injury when a person is working. A shoulder injury can prevent a person from performing the tasks involved in their job. They may need extensive medical treatment, and they may be out of work during a lengthy recovery period. Understanding how shoulder injuries may be covered by workers' compensation can help people address these situations.

At Farmer & Klopfer, our attorneys represent workers who have suffered shoulder injuries or other types of injuries while on the job. We understand how these injuries can affect workers and the difficulties they may face when they are prevented from working. We fight aggressively to ensure that our clients will receive the proper workers' compensation benefits so they can recover from their injuries successfully.

Workplace Accidents That Can Cause Shoulder Injuries

An accident that takes place at work can cause serious damage to the tissues in the shoulder. These accidents may include:

Falls

A worker who falls from scaffolding, a ladder, or a vehicle and lands on their arm or shoulder may suffer multiple types of injuries. Shoulder dislocations may occur, and they may result in ligaments or other tissues being stretched, ruptured, or torn. Rotator cuff tears can also occur in falls, and these injuries will often require surgery to repair.

Falling or Flying Objects

Workers on construction sites, in warehouses, or in other situations may be struck by moving objects. A heavy object may fall and strike a person's shoulder from above, or a swinging beam or moving piece of equipment may strike a person's arm or shoulder from the side. These accidents can lead to soft tissue injuries, fractures in the collarbones or upper arms, or joint injuries.

Lifting Heavy Objects or Overexertion

Shoulder injuries can occur when a person attempts to lift a heavy load, reaches to catch a falling object, or faces resistance when pulling. This can lead to the overextension of the shoulder joint, leading to torn tissues or other types of injuries.

Workplace Vehicle Accidents

Workers who drive as part of their job, including delivery drivers or truck operators, may experience shoulder injuries in motor vehicle collisions. The force of a collision can cause a person's shoulder to strike a vehicle's door or strain against a seat belt, resulting in soft tissue injuries, fractures, or dislocations.

Machinery Accidents

Workers who use or work near machinery may experience shoulder injuries due to being struck by moving equipment or the entanglement of arms in machinery. People who use power tools may experience extreme force on their shoulders, which can lead to rotator cuff tears or other types of injuries.

How Repetitive Motion Can Cause Shoulder Injuries

Some shoulder conditions may develop gradually because of repetitive motion. During months or years of physical labor like lifting and carrying heavy objects, stress can be placed on the shoulders, causing tissues to break down and develop into serious injuries. Repetitive stress injuries are covered by workers' compensation when they can be directly connected to the work a person has performed.

The rotator cuff tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and other soft tissues in the shoulders can be affected when workers perform motions with their arms and upper bodies. Physical labor that involves regular motions, constant lifting and reaching, and long hours of performing repetitive tasks can damage these tissues, leading to issues such as pain, weakness, and loss of function in the arms and shoulders.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Many repetitive stress injuries affecting the shoulders begin as tendinitis in the rotator cuff. Inflammation and tearing of tendons can cause a person to experience pain when reaching overhead or lying on their shoulder. Without the proper treatment, these injuries can progress to more serious conditions.

Rotator Cuff Tears

As damage to the rotator cuff progresses, tears can develop in tendons. These tears can gradually become worse, leading to serious pain and affecting a person's ability to use their arms and shoulders to perform work-related tasks.

Types of Shoulder Injuries Covered by Workers' Compensation

All types of shoulder injuries that are related to the work a person has performed will be covered by workers' compensation. An injured worker can receive benefits that will cover the costs of their medical care and any loss of income while they are out of work. These injuries may include:

Traumatic Injuries

An accident in the workplace that results in a shoulder injury will obviously be work-related, and workers will typically be able to receive workers' compensation benefits. Our attorneys can help ensure that claims for these injuries will be handled correctly so that a person can receive the proper treatment and address their loss of income.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

Shoulder conditions that develop while a person is working should be covered by workers' compensation as long as they can be connected to the work a person has performed. Our lawyers can help ensure that the proper medical documentation is provided to establish that an injury was caused by a person's job activities. We can also address arguments by employers or insurance companies that claim that an injury was unrelated to the work a person performed.

Aggravation of Pre-Existing Shoulder Conditions

In situations where a person had a previous injury or condition that affected their shoulder, the aggravation of these issues may be covered under workers' compensation. A person may need to show that work-related activities caused injuries to progress or become worse. Our attorneys can assist with these claims and respond to arguments that an injury was pre-existing and was not caused by the work that was performed.

Contact Our Waldorf, Maryland Workplace Shoulder Injury Attorneys

A shoulder injury can disrupt your career, your income, and your daily life. You deserve to receive benefits for an injury that is related to the work you have performed. At Farmer & Klopfer, we can help you show that a shoulder injury is work-related and help you obtain medical benefits, disability benefits, or other types of benefits. Contact our Waldorf work-related shoulder injury lawyers at 301-843-3890 to arrange your free consultation.