Separated Shoulder Injuries

Slips and falls are significant hazards in the workplace, leading to any number of injuries for affected workers. As the Centers for Disease Control estimates up to 15 percent of all workers’ compensation payments are linked to slip and fall cases, the problems associated with falling are fairly common and should be treated accordingly by an employer. In particular, separated shoulders are a frequent fall-related injury, as one major cause is falling onto an outstretched hand, as when a worker attempts to brace him or herself from a fall.

Suffering an injury while on the job can lead to a significant loss of time and, therefore, loss of wages. In order to help with these losses, injured workers may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C. at 877-327-2600 today to discuss your options and the process of filing for workers’ comp.

Facts about Separated Shoulders

Although commonplace in slip and fall injuries, the facts behind separated shoulders can help you better understand what kind of treatment to expect and what sort of bodily damage you may have suffered:

• A separated shoulder is actually a separation of a joint known as the acromioclavicular (AC) joint
• A dislocated shoulder is different from a separated shoulder
• A shoulder separation can be categorized to six degrees of joint damage
• The less severe degrees can be treated through physical therapy and a sling, but some bed rest may be suggested
• The upper half of damage degrees usually require surgery
• While strength may return, the wear on the joint often makes the shoulder more susceptible to future injury

Whether working through a surgical procedure or through physical therapy, a separated shoulder can take a significant toll on productivity and the ability of an injured individual to work effectively.

Contact Us

If you have been injured while working, you may be eligible to collect workers’ compensation benefits. To learn more, contact the Des Moines workers’ compensation lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C. by calling 877-327-2600.