When you think of worker’s comp benefits, you naturally think of falls and other types of accidents. But the truth is that injuries that result from the long-term demands on your body due to your job description can also be covered under worker’s compensation. One such common injury is a rotator cuff injury—a type of injury that can result from a sudden tear or develop slowly over time due to the overuse of your shoulder.
If you have been injured at work, whether in an accident or as a result of long-term abuse of your body, you may have grounds to file a worker’s compensation claim. At Koszdin, Fields & Sherry in Van Nuys, our compassionate workers compensation attorneys know that if you’re unable to work, your life is turned upside down—you likely have a family to care for, mortgage or rent payments to pay, and the assurance of a job to go back to when your injury is sufficiently treated. That’s why we are aggressive advocates for injured workers.
What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?
As the name suggests, the rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that work together in your shoulder to allow your arms to rotate and lift. When this cuff tears, it restricts the movement of your arms and causes pain in the arms, upper back and shoulders. There are some less-invasive treatment options than surgery to repair the rotator cuff, but many folks end up needing surgery to regain the functional use of their arms. Around 200,000 people in the United States experience torn rotator cuffs each year and require surgical repair.
Worker’s comp doesn’t always want to pay for surgery, however. Some people who collect worker’s comp benefits for rotator cuff injuries find themselves still feeling stiff and in pain, despite the fact that their physicians have declared that they have met maximum medical improvement. A worker’s compensation attorney can help you fight for your right to reach full recovery if your worker’s comp carrier is denying your need for surgical repair.
Surgery is oftentimes the only route to truly correct torn rotator cuffs. This surgery is essentially non-invasive and repairs the muscle while restoring mobility to the shoulder and arm. The arm is generally immobilized for a period of time following surgery—usually six weeks or so. This allows the cuff to heal properly. Physical therapy is typically needed after surgery to restore the arm’s range of motion and strength.
We’re Here for You
While it may be difficult to prove that your rotator cuff injury is due to overuse, our team of legal eagles is up to the task. We provide aggressive representation for our injured clients, ensuring that they get the benefits to which they are entitled to under the law, including surgery, if necessary. Our attorneys know that injured workers need their claims filed and benefits started as quickly as possible. If you have been injured, don’t stress; give our Van Nuys workers compensation attorney a call to schedule your free, no-obligation case review at 818-812-5639 today.
