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How much is your rotator cuff injury worth?

On Behalf of | Jan 5, 2019 | Workplace Injury |

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There it is again, that pain in your shoulder. You felt the pain a while back and thought you should give your shoulder rest from strenuous use for a few days. Maybe it felt better and you started using it again and the pain came back. Maybe resting it did not help at all and the pain is the same or even worse.

This sounds familiar to San Diego torn rotator cuff attorneys who represent many clients that have sustained torn rotator cuffs due to workplace injuries. Torn rotator cuff injuries can sometimes be tricky to recognize because although they can be caused by a specific traumatic event, other times torn rotator cuffs can develop over time caused by repetitive use. Pain and other symptoms such as limited range of motion or weakness may be mistaken for sore muscles or muscle strains and pulls.

Workplace injuries related to torn rotator cuffs

It is important to get to a doctor for a proper diagnosis when you experience shoulder pain so that your continued use does not exacerbate the injury. Minor tears may be treated with shoulder rest and some physical therapy, while more significant tears may require surgery. Rotator cuff tears are common in job industries that require physical labor such as construction, landscaping, and professional sports. Other jobs that require repetitive motions such as working on a factor line, mail sorting, filing, and stocking shelves also frequently see rotator cuff injuries.

Value of a torn rotator cuff claim

It is impossible to place an exact value on a torn rotator cuff claim because there are many factors that affect the value of the claim. The severity of the injury and the physical impacts on you are important considerations. Also important are the amount of medical treatment required and the cost of your medical bills. The more severe the injury and the more extensive your medical treatment and rehabilitation requirements, the more your claim may be worth.

Another important fact related to the value of your claim is whether or not you are entitled to recovery beyond workers compensation. When you are injured at work you are generally entitled to a workers compensation recovery, however, workers compensation benefits are more limited than other types of personal injury claims. If your injury was caused while you were working, but the cause of your injury was not related to another employee or your employer’s negligence, you may have a third party personal injury claim that could allow for additional compensation.

Third party claim scenarios

Common scenarios for third party claims include car accidents caused by someone who is not employed by your employer and premises liability claims. Premises liability claims may occur when you are injured on someone else’s property caused by the property owner’s negligence, so long as the property owner is not your employer.

If you have sustained a rotator cuff injury, contact a San Diego torn rotator cuff attorney at Hide, Rott & Oertle LLP to discuss your financial recovery options.

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