Do you suffer from shoulder pain? It could be the result of a wear and tear injury. Certain professions are physically taxing on the body. Construction workers, baggage handlers, and mechanics can expect to sustain injuries as a result of the physical nature of their job. However, what may not be as obvious is that even jobs that are not physically demanding can cause injuries. The repetitive nature of specific tasks can cause what is known as a wear and tear injury. Wear and tear injuries can happen anywhere on the body, but a common location is the shoulder.
A shoulder wear and tear injury could have devastating consequences on your job and your life. It could leave you in a disabling condition, unable to perform your job duties, requiring restrictive responsibilities, or unable to work altogether. If you believe you suffered a shoulder injury due to a frequent repetitive motion on the job, you should seek the advice of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney immediately.
Job Responsibilities and Shoulder Injuries
The types of work tasks that tend to cause wear and tear shoulder injuries can include:
- Stocking and retrieving (especially from high up on shelves),
- Assembly line work,
- Sorting, and
- Loading or unloading products.
Although these are some of the most common job tasks that lead to shoulder wear and tear injuries, any repetitive movement can cause damage. If you ever complete a task at work and think, “Wow, my shoulder is sore,” after every time you do it, you may be suffering from a slow-building injury. Don’t wait until your injury becomes irreparable. Contact an experienced shoulder wear and tear injuries attorney at Petro Cohen, P.C. today. We will guide, assist, and ensure you receive the medical attention you need.
Types of Injuries
Ordinary shoulder wear and tear injuries include:
- Muscle strains,
- Muscle tears,
- Frozen shoulder,
- Rotator cuff injuries,
- Dislocation,
- Bone spurs,
- Tendonitis,
- Sprains, and
- Shoulder osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis)
The list of shoulder wear and tear injuries is long. The shoulder itself is made up of many tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It is a working joint responsible for moving the arm. If any part of the shoulder suffers an injury, it can progress from minor to severe damage over time. The continued use of your arm will only irritate the wound. If you end up with a partial or complete tear of the rotator cuff, it can be painful and one of the most debilitating injuries.
Even though these injuries occur over time, they can have lasting and rippling consequences on the body. Wear and tear in the shoulder should always be taken seriously and not left to fester. If you believe your job duties may be compromising your shoulder health, speak with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney right away.
Shoulder Wear and Tear Treatment
While some shoulder injuries can be prevented from getting worse by adjusting your work habits (e.g., adjusting your posture and taking care in lifting items) and simple exercises, others require more intervention, including:
- Physical therapy,
- Hot/cold packs,
- Stretching,
- Injections, and lastly
- Surgery.
Depending on the type and severity of the injury, you may need several different kinds of treatment. Typically, you will begin with the least invasive treatment and proceed to surgical repair if necessary.
Preventing Shoulder Wear and Tear Injuries
It is ideal to try and avoid or prevent a shoulder injury altogether. It is essential to have appropriate lifting equipment and proper posture when handling and lifting heavy objects. Stretching can also increase your strength and flexibility, reducing your chances of getting hurt or worsening an existing injury.
Establishing a Workers’ Comp Claim
It may be obvious to you that your shoulder injury was caused by your job duties. However, your employer and their workers’ comp insurance carrier will likely not agree so quickly. It can be more challenging to prove a connection between your wear and tear shoulder injury and work because these injuries occur slowly over time. Often wear and tear injuries manifest as minor aches and pains that slowly develop into a more profound injury. You must first prove your injury and then verify your job duties directly caused that injury. It can be difficult, but the skilled eye and experience of a workers’ compensation attorney can help you succeed.
It is not as obvious or straightforward as filing for an arm injury after you fell from a ladder and broke your arm. With wear and tear injuries, your proof will likely come from more than one source. Evidence of the causal relationship between your work and your injury may come from medical records, employment history, expert opinions, and witness testimonies.
Establishing this connection is difficult but possible. A skillful workers’ compensation attorney can advocate on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Trust Petro Cohen for Your WEAR and TEAR Claim
Petro Cohen, P.C. has assisted injured workers in South Jersey for decades with an emphasis on WEAR and TEAR™, or repetitive stress injuries. The firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department has more than 100 years of combined experience, among Department Head and Senior Partner Frank Petro, Partners Suzanne Holz Meola, and Terri Hiles, and attorneys Daniel Rosenthal and Sam Scimeca. Working together with you, they will ensure you receive the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve. Petro Cohen, P.C. has offices to serve you in Northfield, Cape May Court House, Cherry Hill, and Hamilton, NJ. To determine if you may have a potential workers’ comp and/or personal injury case, schedule your free and confidential consultation with a Petro Cohen, P.C. attorney by calling 888-675-7607. You can contact us through our online form or via 24/7 live chat at PetroCohen.com.
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