Practice Areas Workers’ Compensation Common Work Injuries Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation for Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries are among the most common workplace injuries in Pennsylvania, especially in physically demanding jobs involving lifting, repetitive motion, or overhead work. Because the shoulder is essential for arm movement and upper body strength, even a moderate injury can make it difficult to work or perform everyday activities.

At Stern & Cohen, we help injured Pennsylvania workers pursue workers’ compensation benefits for shoulder injuries caused by workplace accidents and repetitive job duties. If you are seeking workers’comp benefits for a shoulder injury in Pennsylvania, our attorneys are ready to help.

Common Causes of Work-Related Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries can happen suddenly in a workplace accident or develop gradually over time from repetitive physical strain.

Common causes of workplace shoulder injuries include:

Workers in construction, warehousing, healthcare, manufacturing, delivery, transportation, and retail jobs may face an increased risk of serious shoulder injuries.

Types of Shoulder Injuries We Commonly See

The shoulder is a complex joint involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and cartilage that can all be damaged in a workplace accident.

Common work-related shoulder injuries include:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Labral tears (SLAP tears)
  • Shoulder dislocations
  • Fractures
  • Nerve impingement injuries
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Chronic shoulder pain

Symptoms may include:

  • Shoulder pain or weakness
  • Limited range of motion
  • Difficulty lifting or reaching
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Popping or instability
  • Chronic pain and stiffness

These injuries can interfere with a worker’s ability to safely lift, carry, reach, push, pull, or perform repetitive tasks.

Repetitive Motion and Long-Term Shoulder Injuries

Not all shoulder injuries happen in a single accident. Many workers develop shoulder pain and damage gradually from repetitive lifting, overhead movement, pushing, pulling, or physically demanding labor over time.

Even without one specific accident, workers may still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if repetitive job duties caused or aggravated the shoulder condition.

Shoulder Surgery and Workers’ Compensation

Some shoulder injuries require surgery, especially in cases involving rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, fractures, or severe instability. Recovery may involve physical therapy, rehabilitation, injections, and time away from work.

Pennsylvania workers’ compensation benefits may cover:

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation
  • Surgery and hospital bills
  • Physical therapy
  • Ongoing medical care
  • Wage-loss benefits during recovery
  • Compensation related to permanent impairment in severe cases

Insurance companies sometimes attempt to minimize shoulder injuries or argue they are unrelated to work. Our attorneys are experienced in handling contested workers’ compensation claims involving serious orthopedic injuries.

Light Duty Work After a Shoulder Injury

After a shoulder injury, some workers may be released to return on light duty restrictions. These restrictions may limit lifting, reaching, overhead movement, pushing, pulling, or repetitive activity while the injury heals.

If appropriate modified work is unavailable, injured workers may still qualify for wage-loss benefits.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits and Settlements for Shoulder Injuries

If you suffered a work-related shoulder injury in Pennsylvania, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages during recovery.

Some shoulder injury workers’ comp claims resolve through settlements based on factors such as the severity of the injury, surgery requirements, permanent work restrictions, ongoing treatment needs, and lost earning capacity.

Let Stern & Cohen Help With Your Shoulder Injury Claim

At Stern & Cohen, we understand how painful and limiting a serious shoulder injury can be. Whether you suffered a rotator cuff tear, labral injury, repetitive stress injury, or another workplace shoulder injury, our experienced Pennsylvania workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to protect your rights and fight for the benefits you deserve.

If you suffered a shoulder injury at work, contact Stern & Cohen today for a free consultation.

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Common Work Injuries

$190,000

FedEx Employee with Work-Related Neck Injury

We secured a $190,000 settlement for a FedEx employee who suffered a serious neck injury on the job. She required ongoing treatment, including injections, and was kept out of work while receiving total disability benefits.

$210,000

Carpenter/Foreman with Rotator Cuff Tear

We recovered $210,000 for a carpenter/foreman who stepped off a ladder, landed on equipment, and fell at work. He suffered a full tear of his dominant right rotator cuff.

$230,000

Union Carpenter – Scaffold Fall & CRPS

We recovered $230,000 for a union carpenter who fell from a six-foot scaffold while installing sheet rock and metal framing. He landed on his left hand and wrist and later developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

$230,000

Electrician with Knee, Hand, Wrist, and Back Injuries

We secured $230,000 for an electrician who tripped over a pipe at a Pennsylvania job site, injuring both knees, hands, wrists, and his back. His employer failed to properly document the incident, and the insurance company initially accepted only part of his injuries.