When thinking of workplace injuries, damaged shoulders may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, the reality is that many working adults suffer from shoulder pain, and this is often caused by work-related activities.
Shoulder injuries are notoriously painful and they can take significant time to get better. What types of shoulder injuries affect working adults and how do these injuries occur?
Slip and fall accidents
What makes slips and falls so dangerous is that they can happen anywhere. Generally, an individual will do what they can to protect their head during a fall. Often, this means putting a tremendous amount of weight on their arms. If a person falls on their side, their shoulder is likely to take the brunt of the impact. This can cause soft tissue damage, and in severe cases, dislocations.
Repetitive strain injuries
Some jobs, particularly in construction and manual labor, require workers to lift heavy loads on a regular basis. Constantly lifting heavy objects can put immense pressure on the shoulder, leading to repetitive strain injuries.
Coping with a shoulder injury
The treatment for a shoulder injury largely depends on the severity of the damage. Dislocations and fractures may require surgery. A treatment that is common among all shoulder injuries is rest. If you’re resting after a work-related shoulder injury then you won’t be able to earn an income.
Thankfully, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation for injuries suffered on the job. It is not necessary to prove that someone else was at fault, only that the injury was suffered while you were working.
Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.
