Shoulder Injuries
A serious shoulder injury can make even routine activities difficult. Driving, working, exercising, lifting objects, getting dressed, or simply reaching overhead can become painful or impossible when the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, or other structures of the shoulder are damaged.
Shoulder injuries commonly occur in motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, workplace incidents, construction accidents, and other traumatic events. While some injuries improve with rest and physical therapy, others may require injections, surgery, or extensive rehabilitation and can result in permanent limitations.
At The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel, we represent individuals and families throughout New Jersey who have suffered serious shoulder and orthopedic injuries because of another party's negligence.
Common Types of Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder is a complex joint that depends on bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and other structures working together. Trauma to any of these structures can result in significant pain and loss of function.
Common shoulder injuries include:
Rotator cuff tears
Shoulder dislocations
Labral tears
Shoulder fractures
Tendon injuries
Ligament injuries
Shoulder impingement
Bursitis
Muscle strains
Sprains
Nerve injuries
AC joint injuries
Frozen shoulder
Other injuries causing chronic pain or limited movement
Some shoulder injuries are immediately apparent after an accident, while others may become more noticeable as inflammation, pain, or reduced mobility develops.
What Causes Shoulder Injuries?
The shoulder can be injured by direct impact, sudden twisting, excessive force, or attempting to brace the body during an accident.
Common causes include:
Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Falls from heights
Construction accidents
Workplace accidents
Falling objects
Sports and recreational accidents
Defective products
Other traumatic incidents
Determining how the injury occurred can be an important part of establishing whether another person, property owner, business, or other party was legally responsible.
Shoulder Injuries From Car Accidents
Motor vehicle collisions can place substantial force on the shoulder. Drivers and passengers may strike the door, dashboard, steering wheel, seat belt, or another part of the vehicle during an impact.
The body can also be thrown suddenly in different directions, causing the shoulder to stretch, twist, or absorb significant force.
Car accident shoulder injuries may include:
Rotator cuff tears
Labral tears
Dislocations
Fractures
Sprains and strains
Nerve damage
Tendon injuries
AC joint injuries
Shoulder injuries may also occur together with neck, back, or arm injuries, making a thorough medical evaluation important after a serious collision.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surrounds the shoulder joint and helps stabilize the shoulder while allowing the arm to move.
A traumatic accident can partially or completely tear one or more rotator cuff tendons.
Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury may include:
Shoulder pain
Weakness
Difficulty raising the arm
Pain when reaching overhead
Reduced range of motion
Difficulty sleeping on the injured side
Clicking or popping sensations
Difficulty lifting or carrying objects
Severe tears may require arthroscopic or other surgical repair.
New Jersey courts have recognized that a severe rotator cuff injury can cause substantial permanent limitations. In one New Jersey Supreme Court case involving the Tort Claims Act, a surgically repaired rotator cuff tear that left the plaintiff with a significant loss of shoulder motion was sufficient to satisfy the statutory permanent-loss-of-bodily-function standard.
Labral Tears
The labrum is cartilage that helps stabilize the shoulder joint. A traumatic impact, sudden pulling motion, or forceful movement can damage or tear this tissue.
Labral injuries may cause:
Deep shoulder pain
Clicking or catching
Shoulder instability
Reduced strength
Limited range of motion
Pain during lifting
A feeling that the shoulder may slip out of place
Depending on the severity of the tear, treatment may involve physical therapy, medication, injections, or arthroscopic surgery.
Shoulder Dislocations
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone is forced out of its normal position in the shoulder socket.
Dislocations can cause intense pain and may damage surrounding ligaments, tendons, nerves, cartilage, or blood vessels.
Even after the shoulder is returned to its normal position, some individuals experience continuing instability or repeated dislocations. Serious injuries may require surgery to repair damaged structures and stabilize the joint.
Shoulder Fractures
Traumatic accidents can fracture bones that form or support the shoulder, including the upper arm bone, shoulder blade, or collarbone.
Symptoms may include:
Severe pain
Swelling
Bruising
Difficulty moving the arm
Visible deformity
Tenderness
Grinding sensations
Inability to lift the arm
Some fractures can be treated with immobilization and rehabilitation. More severe fractures may require surgery involving plates, screws, or other hardware.
Shoulder Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
When a person falls unexpectedly, the natural reaction is often to extend an arm to break the fall. The resulting force can travel through the hand and arm into the shoulder.
A person may also land directly on the shoulder.
Falls can cause:
Rotator cuff tears
Shoulder fractures
Dislocations
Labral tears
Tendon injuries
Sprains and strains
When a dangerous property condition causes a fall, the property owner or another party responsible for maintaining the premises may potentially be liable depending on the circumstances.
Shoulder Injuries From Workplace and Construction Accidents
Construction sites and other workplaces can expose workers to falls, heavy equipment, falling objects, and repetitive overhead work. A sudden fall, a heavy impact, or a forceful pull on the arm can seriously injure the shoulder.
Workers' compensation laws can affect claims arising from workplace injuries. However, when someone other than the employer contributed to the accident, the circumstances may also support a separate third-party claim.
Symptoms of a Serious Shoulder Injury
Symptoms vary depending on which structures were damaged.
Possible signs of a serious shoulder injury include:
Severe or worsening shoulder pain
Swelling and bruising
Difficulty raising or rotating the arm
Weakness in the arm or hand
Numbness or tingling
A shoulder that appears out of place
Clicking, popping, or catching
Pain that interferes with sleep
Severe pain, visible deformity, or an inability to move the arm after an accident should receive prompt medical evaluation.
Diagnosing a Shoulder Injury
Medical professionals may use several methods to determine the nature and extent of a shoulder injury.
Depending on the circumstances, evaluation may include:
Physical examination
X-rays
MRI scans
CT scans
Ultrasound
Evaluation by an orthopedic specialist
Medical records and diagnostic imaging can also become important in a personal injury claim, particularly when permanency is disputed.
Treatment for Shoulder Injuries
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Less severe injuries may be treated with:
Rest and activity modification
Medication
Physical therapy
Stretching and strengthening exercises
Injections
More serious injuries may require:
Arthroscopic surgery
Rotator cuff repair
Labral repair
Procedures to stabilize the joint
Fracture repair with plates or screws
Extended rehabilitation
Recovery from shoulder surgery can involve months of therapy and time away from work and normal activities.
Long-Term Effects of a Shoulder Injury
Not every shoulder injury heals completely. Some people continue to have symptoms long after the initial injury.
Long-term effects may include:
Chronic shoulder pain
Reduced range of motion
Weakness
Difficulty lifting or reaching overhead
Recurring instability or dislocations
Arthritis
Difficulty performing physical work
Need for additional treatment or surgery
Permanent physical limitations
These limitations can affect employment, recreation, family responsibilities, and overall quality of life.
Pre-Existing Shoulder Conditions
Some people have arthritis, prior injuries, or other shoulder problems before an accident happens.
A prior condition does not necessarily mean a new accident caused no additional harm. An accident may aggravate a condition that had not previously caused significant symptoms. However, causation can become an important issue when a person has a history of shoulder problems, so medical records from before and after the accident can be important evidence.
Compensation for a Shoulder Injury
When another party's negligence causes a serious shoulder injury, the injured person may be entitled to pursue compensation for the resulting losses.
Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:
Past and future medical expenses
Surgery and rehabilitation
Lost wages
Reduced future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Permanent physical limitations
Loss of enjoyment of life
Other damages available under New Jersey law
The value of a shoulder injury claim depends on factors including the severity of the injury, the treatment required, whether surgery is necessary, whether the injury is permanent, and how the condition affects the person's ability to work and perform everyday activities.
How Long Do You Have to File a Shoulder Injury Claim in New Jersey?
In general, New Jersey personal injury actions are subject to a two-year statute of limitations, although exceptions and different rules can apply depending on the circumstances.
Claims involving government entities, minors, medical malpractice, or other circumstances may involve additional requirements or different deadlines. Because evidence can also become harder to obtain over time, individuals who believe another party caused their injury should consider speaking with an attorney promptly.
Contact a New Jersey Shoulder Injury Lawyer
A serious shoulder injury can mean months of pain, treatment, and rehabilitation, and in some cases permanent limitations on work and daily activities.
For more than 30 years, The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel has represented injured individuals and families throughout New Jersey. Our firm investigates serious accidents, reviews the medical evidence surrounding our clients' injuries, and helps them pursue the compensation available when another party's negligence causes preventable harm.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious shoulder injury because of another party's negligence, contact The Law Office of Todd I. Siegel to discuss your case and learn more about your legal options.
