You’re halfway through your shift, balancing a busy workload and trying to stay on schedule, when it happens. You reach up to grab a box from the top shelf, and suddenly, there’s a sharp twinge in your shoulder that nearly makes you drop the box.
At first, you brush it off, thinking maybe you just pulled a muscle. But as the day drags on, the pain only gets worse. Stiffness creeps in, every movement sends a jolt through your arm, and by the time you clock out, you can barely lift your coffee cup. What started as a simple task has now turned into a painful injury that threatens not only your ability to work but also your daily routine.
Shoulder injuries at work often feel like they come out of nowhere, yet they’re some of the most common and disruptive injuries employees face. In this article, our Las Vegas workers’ compensation attorneys will help you understand more about work-related shoulder injuries and what to do if you get one.
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Common Workplace Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder is one of the most complex and mobile joints in the human body, which also makes it highly vulnerable to injury. Common on-the-job shoulder injuries include:
Rotator cuff tears: These occur when the muscles and tendons that keep your shoulder stable are torn. Rotator cuff tears often result from lifting heavy objects, repetitive overhead motions, or sudden jerks when carrying equipment.
Shoulder tendinitis: This condition is caused by inflammation of the tendons. It can result from trauma to your shoulder from a hit or fall. It can also develop due to overuse, especially in jobs that require frequent reaching, painting, stocking shelves, or assembly line tasks.
Dislocations: A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. This could happen due to falls on slippery floors, accidents with machinery, or sudden impacts on construction sites.
Labrum tears: This damage to the cartilage that stabilizes the shoulder joint may be caused by twisting while lifting, falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive throwing motions.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): A frozen shoulder is marked by stiffness or pain that limits mobility. This can develop after an earlier shoulder injury or from being unable to move the joint for long periods while recovering. It can also result from an impact accident, such as when you fall on your shoulder or an external object hits your shoulder with force.
Bursitis: Bursitis is caused by inflammation of the bursae, the small sacs that cushion your shoulder joint. Bursitis can be caused by a hit or fall or from repetitive motion such as lifting, overhead reaching, or carrying heavy loads.
How Workers’ Compensation Helps After a Shoulder Injury
Nevada, like other states, has a workers’ compensation system designed to support employees who get hurt on the job. The idea is simple: if you’re injured while performing your work duties, you shouldn’t have to cover the cost of medical care or lost wages on your own. Workers’ comp provides benefits such as medical treatment, wage replacement, and, if necessary, vocational rehabilitation to help you get back to work.
The system is set up to be “no-fault,” meaning you don’t have to prove your employer did something wrong in order to qualify. As long as your injury happened in the course of your work, you may be eligible for benefits.
For shoulder injuries, these benefits might include coverage for doctor visits, diagnostic tests like MRIs, physical therapy, medications, and even surgery if required. If your injury forces you to take time off work, you may also qualify for temporary disability payments to replace a portion of your lost income.
While this sounds straightforward, the process of filing and securing benefits isn’t always easy. Employers and insurance companies sometimes dispute claims, delay approval for treatment, or argue that your injury wasn’t work-related.
Steps to Take After a Workplace Shoulder Injury in Nevada
- Seek medical attention right away. Your health comes first. Go to the emergency room if the injury is severe. Don’t try to “tough it out,” since delaying treatment can make the injury worse and complicate your workers’ compensation claim.
- Notify your employer immediately. In Nevada, you must report your injury quickly to protect your rights. Complete a Notice of Injury or Occupational Disease (Form C-1) and submit it to your employer within seven days of the incident. Your employer will likely refer you to a doctor who is contracted with your company’s insurance provider. The doctor will usually help you complete a Workers’ Compensation Claim Form (Form C-4), which must be filed within 90 days.
- Document everything. Write down how the injury occurred, whether from an accident or overuse. If the injury occurred due to an accident, photograph the scene and get contact information from witnesses. Keep records of your symptoms, treatments, and any missed work. Detailed documentation will be crucial if your claim is questioned later.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions. Attend all medical appointments and stick to any work restrictions or treatment plans. Failing to follow your doctor’s guidance could give the insurance company an excuse to challenge or deny your benefits.
- Stay off of social media. Insurance companies have been known to track your social media accounts, so it’s best if you don’t post or comment while your case plays out. Let’s say you go to a park with your child and shoot a few hoops as your shoulder is starting to heal. Then, you post a photo of the “bonding moment.” Now, you’ve given the insurance company an opportunity to discredit your claim.
Can I Sue if My Employer Doesn’t Respect My Rights?
One of the trade-offs of the workers’ comp system is that it usually prevents employees from suing their employers directly. This rule is designed to create a balanced system: employers provide workers’ comp coverage, and employees give up the right to bring personal injury lawsuits for most workplace injuries. For many people, this works fine, since workers’ comp covers medical care and lost wages without the need for litigation.
However, just because you can’t typically sue your employer doesn’t mean you’re out of options. In some cases, a third party may be partly responsible for your injury. For example, if a defective ladder, power tool, or piece of machinery caused your shoulder injury, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer. Similarly, if another contractor’s negligence contributed to your accident, you may be able to pursue damages outside of workers’ comp.
Even within the workers’ comp system itself, you may encounter challenges that require legal help. Employers or insurers may deny your claim, argue that your injury was pre-existing, or delay approval for medical treatment. In these situations, having a workers’ compensation attorney on your side can make all the difference.
When and Why to Call a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
If your shoulder injury is severe, your benefits have been denied, or you feel like your employer’s insurance company isn’t treating you fairly, calling a workers’ comp attorney is one of the smartest steps you can take. An attorney can guide you through the claims process, making sure you meet deadlines and file the proper paperwork. They can also gather medical evidence, consult with specialists, and present your case in the strongest possible light.
In Nevada, appealing a denied workers’ comp claim can be complex, involving administrative hearings and potentially multiple levels of review. A lawyer who understands the system can represent you during these proceedings and fight for the benefits you’re entitled to. If there is an opportunity to pursue additional compensation through a third-party claim, your attorney can investigate and handle that case on your behalf.
Perhaps most importantly, an attorney helps level the playing field. Insurance companies have adjusters and lawyers working to minimize payouts. Without representation, you may feel pressured to accept less than you need or deserve. By hiring a workers’ compensation attorney, you ensure that someone is advising you and advocating for your best interests from start to finish.
The Takeaway
If your shoulder is injured at work, now is not the time to “suck it up.” Workers’ compensation is designed to help you get proper treatment before your injury gets worse. It’s also designed to help you get compensation so you don’t get penalized (financially or otherwise) for days off work.
Seek prompt medical attention, report your injury, fill out the proper paperwork by the cut-off dates, document your experience, and contact a work shoulder injury lawyer near me if necessary.