According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 22% of Americans have experienced at least one rotator cuff tear. Although this type of injury is especially common among elderly individuals, it can affect virtually anyone. Many California employees tear their rotator cuffs while carrying out work-related duties, and this injury has the potential to cause serious losses.
If you have torn your rotator cuff while working in California, you may be considering your options for compensation. You are likely eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for rotator cuff & shoulder injuries – but what exactly does this process entail? How can you pursue the compensation you deserve, and what do you need to prove? A workers’ compensation lawyer in California can answer these questions and many others – so book a consultation with James Koh today to learn more.
Types of Shoulder Injuries and Treatments
There are quite a few types of shoulder injuries that can happen at work:
- Rotator Cuff Tear: A tear in one or more of the muscles and tendons that make up the rotator cuff, which can occur due to overuse, trauma, or degenerative changes. Types of rotator cuff tears include partial-thickness tears and full-thickness tears.
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: This occurs when the rotator cuff tendons or bursa in the shoulder become compressed or irritated, often due to repetitive overhead movements or structural abnormalities in the shoulder.
- Shoulder Dislocation: A shoulder dislocation happens when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, usually as a result of trauma or a sudden impact.
- Shoulder Fracture: Fractures can occur in various parts of the shoulder, including the clavicle (collarbone), the humerus (upper arm bone), or the scapula (shoulder blade), often due to falls, accidents, or direct blows.
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Characterized by stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, often resulting from inflammation and thickening of the shoulder capsule, limiting range of motion.
Because shoulder injuries vary so widely, there are also many courses of treatment. Some are more conservative:
- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE) therapy
- Physical therapy and exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve range of motion
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation
- Corticosteroid injections to alleviate pain and inflammation in the shoulder joint
Other injuries will require surgery:
- Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: Minimally invasive surgery performed using a small camera and specialized instruments inserted through small incisions to repair or remove damaged tissues in the shoulder joint, such as repairing a torn rotator cuff or removing inflamed tissue in cases of impingement.
- Open Shoulder Surgery: Traditional open surgery may be necessary for more complex shoulder injuries, such as severe fractures or extensive rotator cuff tears, where a larger incision is required to access the damaged structures.
- Shoulder Replacement Surgery: In cases of severe shoulder arthritis or irreparable damage to the shoulder joint, shoulder replacement surgery may be performed to replace the damaged joint surfaces with artificial components (prosthetics).
- Shoulder Stabilization Surgery: For recurrent shoulder dislocations or instability, surgical procedures such as shoulder labrum repair or capsular shift may be performed to stabilize the shoulder joint and prevent further dislocations.
Each type of shoulder injury and its associated treatment options may vary depending on the severity of the injury, the individual’s symptoms and functional limitations, and their overall health status. It’s essential for individuals with shoulder injuries to consult with a qualified healthcare provider or orthopedic specialist to receive a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and goals.
What Constitutes a Rotator Cuff Tear?
The rotator cuff consists of four tendons over the top portion of your arm – called the humerus. This group of muscles attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade and allows you to lift and rotate your entire arm. When you tear one of these tendons, it may detach from your humerus. As a result, you may experience severe weakness, pain, and odd sensations when rotating your arm.
Partial vs. Complete Rotator Cuff Tears
You can suffer either a “partial” or “complete” rotator cuff tear. Doctors may also refer to a complete rotator cuff tear as a “full-thickness tear,” and it occurs when the tendon completely detaches from your humerus. In severe cases, a hole or gap may develop in your tendon. A partial tear occurs when the tendon does not completely detach from the humerus. While partial tears are less serious, they can still cause serious pain, weakness, and discomfort.
The majority of patients experience torn supraspinatus tendons. This tendon attaches to the top of the humerus, while other tendons (such as the subscapularis and Teres minor) attach at the sides and bottom. While supraspinatus tears are more common, certain work-related movements may make the other tendons especially vulnerable.
Acute vs. Degenerative Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears may also be “acute” or “degenerative.” Acute tears occur after a single incident that jerks or pulls the rotator cuff. For example, you might attempt to lift something heavy, pull back, and tear your rotator cuff in a single motion.
Degenerative tears are more gradual. While acute tears are caused by a single event, degenerative tears are caused by repetitive motions over time. After weeks, months, or even years of repetitive stress, the tendon eventually frays, weakens, and tears away from the bone.
Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Injury
Symptoms may vary depending on the affected tendon, the nature of the injury (acute vs. degenerative), and age. Here are some of the most common symptoms of rotator cuff injuries:
- Dull aches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Limited range of motion
- Weakness in the arm
- Crackling sensations (also known as “crepitus”)
- Pain
It is worth noting that some rotator cuff tears cause no pain whatsoever – and the only noticeable effect may be reduced range of motion. In these situations, it is very important to seek medical attention – even if the injury seems very minor. If you fail to get treatment, your rotator cuff tear could become progressively worse with time – eventually leading to a permanent disability.
What Are the Common Causes of Shoulder & Rotator Cuff Injuries?
A range of factors can cause rotator cuff tears. For many workers, this injury is not caused by any specific factor, but by years of repetitive motions that gradually destroy their tendons. Generally speaking, rotator cuff tears are caused by a combination of age and work-related factors.
Age-Related Factors
Rotator cuff tears are more common among elderly workers in California. As we get older, our bodies struggle to provide the rotator cuff tendons with enough blood supply. As a result, the tendons take longer to regenerate and become more vulnerable to tears. In addition, the rotator cuff inevitably endures more wear as time goes on. By the time we reach the age of 40, our rotator cuffs become weathered with continuous use. As a result of these age-related factors, workers over the age of 40 are more vulnerable to degenerative rotator cuff tears. On the other hand, younger workers are more vulnerable to acute rotator cuff tears.
Work-Related Factors
Some workers are especially vulnerable to rotator cuff injuries. If your job requires you to lift or reach above your head throughout the day, you could eventually experience a degenerative rotator cuff tear caused by repetitive stress. Specific workers experience high rates of rotator cuff tears, including:
- Construction workers
- Factory workers
- Assembly line workers
- Painters
- Roofers
What Compensation Is Available for Shoulder & Rotator Cuff Injuries?
Workers’ compensation can cover your medical expenses and missed wages. You should take full advantage of this compensation even if your injury seems mild, as the long-term effects of a rotator cuff tear are often unclear.
Covering Your Medical Expenses
You may incur significant medical expenses when attempting to treat your rotator cuff injury. Doctors might begin by conducting various tests – including X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds. After examining the resulting images, medical professionals can determine the most appropriate way to treat your injury. Depending on the severity, treatment may include shoulder surgery (rotator cuff repair), physical therapy, and other treatments.
According to the Mayo Clinic, late surgeries are just as effective as early surgeries in treating rotator cuff tears. For this reason, most doctors recommend nonsurgical treatments first. If these non-invasive methods fail to provide results, you can always undergo surgery at a later date.
Sometimes, patients make full recoveries by simply resting. Although you might miss weeks or months of work while resting, this can give your torn tendon enough time to heal. Doctors often advise younger patients to rest with few additional treatments, as younger individuals have more effective regenerative abilities compared to their older counterparts.
Your doctor might also recommend certain drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroid injections. Examples include ibuprofen, Cortisone, aspirin, and naproxen. Finally, you might attempt rehabilitative strengthening exercises to restore function to the shoulder.
If none of these treatment options help, your doctor may have no other choice but to recommend surgery. Generally speaking, doctors only resort to surgery if your symptoms have lasted for more than 12 months – or if you have an extremely severe tear. Surgical treatment involves manually re-attaching the tendon to the humerus.
It goes without saying that many of these treatments are costly. Rest assured that workers’ compensation should cover all of your various medical bills – no matter what your doctors recommend.
Covering Your Missed Wages
Workers’ compensation also provides you with compensation for your missed wages. File a successful claim, and you can cover two-thirds of your lost income while you recover. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a torn rotator cuff can take up to nine months to completely heal. During this time, your doctor might warn you to cease all strenuous activities. Compensation for missed wages may therefore prove crucial as you attempt to cover your living expenses.
If your rotator cuff leads to a permanent disability, you may receive benefits for the foreseeable future. Although this outcome is rare, elderly California workers are especially vulnerable to permanent loss of function due to rotator cuff tears. Even young people may suffer permanent disabilities due to certain complications. For example, doctors may botch your surgery – and you may be left with permanent damage to your shoulder. All surgeries involve a certain degree of risk – and this is one of the many reasons doctors attempt nonsurgical methods first and foremost.
How Workers’ Compensation for Shoulder Injuries Can Help
A workers’ compensation claim can give you access to the most effective medical treatment. More importantly, it allows you to pursue this treatment without experiencing excessive financial pressure. Without workers’ compensation, you might be reluctant to seek out more expensive treatment options, such as surgery or physiotherapy.
A workers’ compensation claim also gives you sufficient “breathing space” to rest without fear of losing excessive income. Many Americans today live paycheck to paycheck, and even a single missed work week can cause all kinds of financial issues. Workers’ compensation maintains your income – so you can take as much time as you need to heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patients with rotator cuff and shoulder injuries often ask the same questions. Here are a few examples:
Who is most at risk for shoulder injuries at work?
Workers who reach overhead throughout the day are especially vulnerable to shoulder injuries. You may also be at risk if you engage in heavy manual labor – such as lifting, pulling, and carrying. Warehouse workers, construction workers, movers, roofers, power line workers, painters, and factory workers all have high rates of shoulder injuries. In the modern era, Amazon warehouse workers frequently report rotator cuff injuries – as these individuals spend hours lifting boxes above their heads.
What workers’ comp benefits can I get for a shoulder injury?
Compensation for a shoulder injury depends on numerous factors. First, consider whether you can file a personal injury lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim. Next, consider your total damages – including missed wages and medical expenses. More severe shoulder injuries may result in higher compensation, especially if they cause total, permanent disabilities.
How much can I claim for a shoulder injury requiring surgery?
If your shoulder injury requires surgical treatment, you may incur extensive medical bills. Rest assured that a workers’ compensation claim should cover the full cost of your surgery. However, you should also keep a close eye on your shoulder after the surgery, as you may still struggle to earn income. After the healing process is complete, you can receive compensation for both the cost of the surgery and any missed income you experience.
How long does it take to receive compensation for a shoulder injury?
If your injury causes you to miss more than three days of work, you should start receiving benefits on the fourth day. However, you might need to wait months to receive full compensation for your various damages. The extent of your shoulder injury may not be immediately clear, and you should wait until your maximum medical recovery (MMR) to calculate long-term effects with sufficient accuracy. If you accept a settlement too early, you may miss potential compensation for lasting impairments that are unclear.
Contact an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Internet research can provide many important insights into workers’ compensation for rotator cuff & shoulder injuries. However, reading an article is only the first step – and no amount of research will cover your medical bills or missed wages. To take decisive action, book a consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney in California. During your first meeting with a lawyer, you can discuss your specific circumstances in more detail. Your lawyer can assess your unique situation and recommend the best course of action. Even if your rotator cuff claim has already been denied, your workers’ comp lawyer can help you appeal the decision. Reach out to James Koh today – and get started with an effective action plan.
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