Shoulder Injuries at Work: Causes, Treatment and Claims

Shoulder Injuries in the Workplace

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, and that makes it one of the most vulnerable to injury. A workplace shoulder injury can make it impossible to lift, reach, carry or even dress yourself. For people in physically demanding jobs, a damaged shoulder can mean weeks or months off work and a long, painful recovery.

If your shoulder injury happened because of unsafe conditions, lack of training or your employer's failure to protect you, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Common Workplace Shoulder Injuries

Several types of shoulder injury are seen regularly in workplace accident claims:

• Rotator cuff tears -- damage to the group of tendons and muscles that hold the shoulder joint in place. This can happen from a sudden impact or develop over time from repetitive overhead work. It causes significant pain and weakness.
• Shoulder dislocation -- when the ball of the upper arm bone is forced out of the socket. This often happens in falls or when a heavy load shifts unexpectedly. Once dislocated, the shoulder is more likely to dislocate again.
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) -- the shoulder joint becomes stiff and painful, with movement severely restricted. It can develop after an injury that keeps the shoulder immobile for a period.
• Shoulder fractures -- broken bones in the collarbone, upper arm or shoulder blade, usually from falls, impacts or crush injuries.
• Shoulder impingement -- the tendons in the shoulder are pinched during movement, causing pain when lifting the arm. Common in jobs requiring repeated overhead reaching.

What Causes Shoulder Injuries at Work?

Shoulder injuries at work are caused by:

• Heavy lifting -- picking up, carrying or moving heavy objects without proper equipment or training.
• Repetitive overhead work -- reaching above your head repeatedly, such as stacking shelves, painting, plastering or working on overhead fixtures.
• Falls -- falling from height, slipping on wet floors or tripping over obstacles.
• Impacts and crush injuries -- being struck by falling objects, caught between machinery or involved in a vehicle collision.
• Pulling or pushing -- dragging heavy loads, pushing trolleys or pulling equipment.

These injuries are common in construction, warehousing, manufacturing, healthcare (moving patients), transport and logistics.

Treatment and Recovery

Treatment for a workplace shoulder injury depends on the type and severity:

• Physiotherapy -- the first line of treatment for many shoulder injuries. A course of physiotherapy can take several weeks to several months.
• Steroid injections -- used to reduce inflammation and pain, particularly for impingement or frozen shoulder.
• Surgery -- rotator cuff repairs, shoulder stabilisation after dislocation, or fixation of fractures with pins, plates or screws. Surgery is followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period.
• Rest and immobilisation -- using a sling or brace to allow the injury to heal.

Recovery times vary. A mild strain may resolve in a few weeks. A rotator cuff repair or fracture fixation can take six months or more before you can return to full duties. Some people never regain full range of movement.

Your Employer's Legal Duties

Your employer is legally required to take reasonable steps to prevent shoulder injuries. Under Irish health and safety law, this includes:

• Carrying out risk assessments for manual handling tasks.
• Providing mechanical aids such as hoists, trolleys and conveyor systems to reduce heavy lifting.
• Training workers in safe manual handling techniques.
• Making sure work areas are free from slip and trip hazards.
• Providing and maintaining proper safety equipment, including harnesses for work at height.
• Ensuring adequate staffing so workers are not handling loads that are too heavy for one person.

If your employer failed to meet these obligations and you were injured as a result, they may be liable.

Claiming Compensation for a Shoulder Injury

To make a successful claim for a workplace shoulder injury, you need to show that your employer was negligent and that their negligence caused or contributed to your injury.

Steps you should take:

1. Report the injury to your employer and make sure it is recorded in the accident book.
2. See your GP as soon as possible and describe how the injury happened at work.
3. Keep records of all medical appointments, treatments, prescriptions and expenses.
4. Photograph the scene if possible -- the hazard that caused your injury, your working conditions or your injuries.
5. Get witness details from colleagues who saw what happened.
6. Contact a solicitor before the time limit runs out. In Ireland, you generally have two years from the date of injury to bring a claim.

What Compensation Can You Expect?

Compensation for workplace shoulder injuries typically includes:

• General damages for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Special damages covering lost wages, medical bills, physiotherapy costs, travel to appointments and any other out-of-pocket expenses.
• Future losses if the injury affects your ability to earn in the long term.

The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) publishes guidelines on compensation ranges. Shoulder injuries can attract awards ranging from moderate sums for soft tissue damage that resolves with treatment, to substantial amounts for injuries requiring surgery or resulting in permanent limitation.

Get Advice From Good and Murray Smith LLP

If you have suffered a shoulder injury at work, Good and Murray Smith LLP can assess your case and advise you on your options. We act for injured workers across Ireland and have experience with the full range of workplace shoulder injury claims. Contact us to discuss your situation.