Workplace Arm & Shoulder Injuries

Key Takeaways

Arm and shoulder injuries at work can result from heavy lifting, falls, repetitive motion, or awkward movements — often causing lasting pain and reduced mobility.
Workers’ compensation may cover medical treatment, lost wages, physical therapy, and rehabilitation, but insurance companies often try to limit these benefits.
The arm and shoulder injury lawyers at Pond Lehocky can help gather evidence, challenge denials, and fight to secure the full compensation you deserve.

Your arms and shoulders are the engines of movement in nearly every type of job. From lifting heavy equipment on a construction site to helping patients in a healthcare setting, these body parts make work possible. When an injury affects your arm or shoulder, even simple tasks like reaching, carrying, or typing can become painful or impossible.

Arm and shoulder injuries are among the most common workplace injuries, yet they are often misunderstood or minimized. Whether caused by a sudden accident or repetitive stress over time, these injuries can leave workers with limited mobility, weakness, and lasting pain.

The good news is that workers’ compensation may provide benefits to cover your medical care, rehabilitation, and lost wages. If your claim is denied or undervalued, a skilled arm injury lawyer can step in to protect your rights.

How Arm and Shoulder Injuries Happen at Work

Many industries put workers at risk of arm and shoulder injuries. Jobs involving heavy lifting, awkward postures, or repetitive movements are especially high-risk. Some of the most common causes include:

Overexertion. Lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy objects can strain muscles and ligaments in the arms and shoulders.
Repetitive Motion. Repeated reaching, overhead work, or tool use can wear down tendons and joints over time.
Falls and Accidents. A fall on an outstretched arm or contact with machinery can cause fractures or dislocations.
Awkward Movements. Twisting, jerking, or sudden movements while handling equipment often result in strains or tears.

These risks are especially common in industries like construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and warehousing, but even office workers can develop repetitive stress injuries.

Common Arm and Shoulder Injuries

Sometimes, a single injury occurs to the arms or shoulders, but in many cases, a worker sustains multiple injuries, which can complicate their recovery.

Rotator Cuff Tears

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. A tear can occur from lifting, overhead work, or repetitive motion. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, often requiring surgery or physical therapy.

Shoulder Dislocations

Falls or sudden impacts can force the shoulder joint out of place, causing severe pain and instability. Recovery can take weeks or months, and repeated dislocations may lead to chronic problems.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder or elbow (such as tennis elbow or biceps tendonitis) is common in jobs requiring repetitive arm motions. Though often gradual, tendonitis can be just as disabling as an acute injury.

Nerve Compression

Repetitive tasks, awkward posture, or swelling can compress nerves in the arm or shoulder, leading to numbness, tingling, or weakness. This can make gripping tools or lifting objects difficult and dangerous.

Fractures

Broken bones in the arm or shoulder can result from falls, machinery accidents, or vehicle collisions. These injuries often require immobilization, extensive healing time, and sometimes surgery.

Person wearing a striped shirt with their arm in a black medical sling, showing a bandaged hand and forearm injury against a plain background.

The Impact of Arm and Shoulder Injuries

Unlike a cut or bruise, these injuries can have long-term effects on your ability to work and live comfortably. They may cause:

Loss of strength. Losing strength can make it hard to lift or carry objects.
Limited mobility. Mobility restrictions may change your ability to reach overhead, across your body, or behind your back.
Chronic pain. Debilitating pain can interfere with concentration, sleep, and productivity.
Risk of reinjury. When any part of your body is weak, tissues are more prone to further damage.

For workers in physically demanding jobs, these limitations can make it nearly impossible to return to work without proper treatment and recovery time.

Acute Injuries vs. Repetitive Stress Injuries

It’s easy to understand how a fall or accident can cause a serious arm or shoulder injury. But repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are just as real, and just as disruptive.

RSIs like tendonitis or bursitis develop gradually from repeating the same motion over and over. Many employers and insurers try to downplay these injuries because they’re not caused by a single incident, but they can be every bit as disabling as a fracture or dislocation. Workers’ comp should cover both acute and repetitive stress injuries.

Workers’ Compensation for Arm and Shoulder Injuries

If your injury happened on the job, you may be entitled to benefits that cover:

Medical care. Medical care can include doctor visits, diagnostic tests, surgery, medications, and physical therapy.
Wage replacement. If you aren’t able to work, you can receive partial income to help you cover your expenses.
Disability benefits. If your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, you may be entitled to disability.
Rehabilitation. If needed, workers’ compensation can provide you with services to help you regain mobility and strength.

Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes deny claims or minimize benefits by arguing your injury wasn’t severe or wasn’t related to work. Hiring a workers’ comp attorney on your side becomes essential.

Person in a business suit using a calculator and writing on paper at a wooden desk with money, coins, and documents scattered around.

How a Lawyer Can Help

A knowledgeable workplace shoulder and arm injuries lawyer can:

Gather medical evidence to support your claim.
Challenge denials or appeals by the insurance company.
Ensure your benefits reflect the true extent of your injury.
Protect you from being forced back to work too soon.

With the right legal support, you can focus on healing while your lawyer focuses on securing your benefits.

Don’t Minimize Your Injury

It’s common for workers to try to “tough it out” with arm or shoulder pain, but ignoring the injury can make it worse. These injuries can affect your job and your daily life, from carrying groceries to playing with your kids.

If your injury happened at work, you deserve proper medical care and financial support while you recover. Workers’ comp exists to give you that peace of mind.

Contact Pond Lehocky Today

If you’ve suffered an arm or shoulder injury at work, don’t let an insurance company decide your future. Pond Lehocky is here to stand up for your rights and ensure you get the care and benefits you need.

Contact us today to speak with a trusted arm injury lawyer who will fight for you every step of the way. With our team on your side, you won’t have to face the system alone.