Shoulder injuries can have devastating consequences. When accident victims injure their shoulders, they may not be able to complete day-to-day tasks, and their shoulder injury may affect their ability to work. Many shoulder injuries require surgery and a long rehabilitation period. When shoulder injuries aren’t addressed by medical professionals quickly, they can become even more serious.
If you’ve been the victim of a personal injury accident and you’re recovering from a shoulder injury, you may be entitled to compensation. The personal injury lawyers at Stein & Shulman, LLC can help you pursue workers’ compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits. We have a proven track record of obtaining compensation for personal injury victims throughout the greater Chicago area. Contact us to arrange your free initial consultation.
Common Causes of Shoulder Injuries in Illinois
Workplace accidents and car accidents are two common causes of shoulder injuries. However, shoulder injuries can occur in virtually any type of accident. Shoulder joints are very complex, and any amount of trauma can cause damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the shoulder joint. The following types of accidents are common causes of shoulder injuries in Illinois:
- Car accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bus accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Assault
- Accidents in recreational vehicles
- Workplace accidents
- Sports accidents
Type of Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries can occur after a traumatic incident, such as a car accident. They can also occur due to overuse of the shoulder joint. Many shoulder injuries are immediately apparent because the victim will feel excruciating pain or experience limited shoulder mobility. In other cases, victims don’t experience shoulder injury symptoms until days or even weeks after the accident occurred.
We recommend undergoing a thorough medical evaluation after being involved in any type of traumatic accident. If you’ve been in a car accident or a recreational vehicle accident, the shock of the accident may prevent you from feeling pain in your shoulder, and a medical doctor can help you receive the treatment you need. Every shoulder injury has different symptoms and requires a unique treatment plan. Common shoulder injuries include the following:
- Infraspinatus muscle injury
- Supraspinatus and deltoid injury
- Rotator cuff strain
- Shoulder joint separation
- Torn rotator cuff
- Rotator cuff impingement
- Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior (SLAP) tear
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Biceps injuries
- Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury
- Fracture of the humerus, scapula, or clavicle
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Rotator Cuff Injuries Are Painful and Require Time Off of Work
Rotator cuff injuries are more severe than bicep tears or frozen shoulders, although the latter can be incredibly painful. In many cases, patients with rotator cuff injuries need to undergo surgery or ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma injections. In addition to surgery, people who suffer rotator cuff injuries must undergo physical therapy.
Doctors will usually prescribe medication. All of these treatment costs can add up quickly. Additionally, those who’ve suffered a rotator cuff tear may not be able to engage in unrestricted activities for up to 11 months after their surgery. Many people who become injured in an accident and experience a torn rotator cuff cannot return to work, making it difficult for them to pay their mounting medical bills.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim in Illinois
If your shoulder became injured at work, you have a right to file for workers’ compensation benefits. Nearly all Illinois employers are required by law to provide workers compensation insurance benefits to their employees. Worker’s compensation benefits pay for injured workers’ medical costs and a portion of the income workers lose while recovering. Unfortunately, employers often deny legitimate workers compensation claims or delay paying out benefits.
If you are experiencing problems obtaining the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve for your shoulder injury, Stein & Shulman, LLC can help. We will hold your employer accountable and advocate for you to get the benefits you deserve.
Proving Liability in a Chicago Shoulder Injury
In some cases, a negligent third party causes work-related shoulder injuries. Suppose a defective product a worker used at work caused his shoulder injury. In that case, he may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the company that manufactured the defective product. Likewise, suppose you’ve been injured in a car accident or other type of accident. In that case, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit against a third party to recover compensation.
Recovering Compensation After an Illinois Shoulder Injury
The amount of compensation you can obtain through a personal injury lawsuit for your shoulder injury depends on various factors. At Stein & Shulman, LLC, we will help you determine what your shoulder injury case is worth. Determining an accurate amount is crucial because this will be your one opportunity to recover compensation for all of your past and future costs associated with your shoulder injury. We will work with a team of financial experts to determine what your injury will cost you in the future, adjusted for inflation.
Successful personal injury plaintiffs are entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include any easily quantifiable cost associated with your shoulder injury. The cost of your past and future medical bills and your lost income are included in economic damages. You can also include the cost of property damage as economic damage.
Personal injury plaintiffs are also entitled to non-economic damages for the pain and suffering they’ve endured due to their shoulder accident. When a defendant’s egregious behavior caused the shoulder accident, an Illinois judge may award additional punitive damages. At Stein & Shulman, LLC, we hold negligent defendants accountable for their actions. Our experienced personal injury lawyers advocate strongly on behalf of our clients so they can recover the full amount of compensation they deserve.
Contact an Illinois Shoulder Injury Lawyer Today
The Illinois shoulder injury lawyers at Stein & Shulman, LLC offer our clients skilled, intelligent legal representation. We understand how devastating a serious rotator cuff and another shoulder injury can be for you and your family. Contact us today to discuss your case with one of our personal injury lawyers.
