Shoulder injuries at work are more common than most people think. Workers in every industry can suffer from this type of injury. Some shoulder injuries occur because of repetitive use, but others happen because of an on-the-job accident.
The shoulder joint is vulnerable to strain and damage. Some of the more common injuries include sprains, torn rotator cuffs and dislocations. All of these can lead to pain and limited mobility that can change the person’s ability to do certain job duties.
Early treatment is critical
It’s not unusual for injured workers to try to push through pain with the hopes that the effects of the injury will improve without care. This often doesn’t happen, so workers are left with worse damage than they initially had.
Unfortunately, shoulder injuries can have a significant impact on activities of daily living. Some can make it impossible to get dressed or lift objects. Getting treatment as soon as there’s a sign that something is amiss may help workers to avoid those worsening long-term problems.
Employees who are injured while they’re working should be able to count on workers’ compensation to pay for medical care. This includes doctor appointments, imaging scans, medications, surgical interventions and rehabilitative therapy. Workers who have to take considerable time off may be eligible to receive partial wage replacement and other benefits.
Some workers may have to fight for the benefits they’re due. Because these cases can be complex, those workers may need to work with someone who’s familiar with these matters so they can receive everything they’re due.