Shoulder Injury

Workers’ Compensation
for Shoulder Injuries

What claims are available to me?

Injuries to the back, including dislocated shoulders, hurt shoulder blades, or shoulder impingements may permit you to several compensatory options.

For medical and like expenses, you can be covered for any shoulder treatment or therapy costs. This can become particularly useful for common shoulder injuries in the workplace, comprising of subacromial bursitis, labrum tears and cuff tears. Expenses can also be covered for a loss of wages, whereby you can be covered for past and future wages you will not receive as a result of your shoulder-related injury.

If a medical professional establishes that the shoulder injury sustained yields a permanent impairment rating of 11% or greater, you may be eligible to receive a lump-sum payment for the permanent impairment. Permanent impairment relates to shoulder injuries as it becomes the situation where an injury, like a rotator or shoulder cuff tear, remains in the same position and is not likely to improve with further treatment.

In a similar vein, any pain and suffering arising from shoulder pain can produce furthered compensation offers, where you can be reimbursed for the loss of enjoyment of life.

These claims are all considered to be no-fault, meaning that it cannot be proven that you did not cause the injury. The mere fact that you suffered an injury during work is adequate for eligibility for these claims.

What needs to be shown?

To become eligible for a Workcover claim to cover an injured shoulder, it is vital you are an employee. However, to satisfy this it must be demonstrated that 80% of your income over the last 12 months has occurred at the place of work you were injured at.

Further to this, to be entitled to loss of wage compensation in addition to medical expenses, it is required to attain a certificate of capacity. This can be achieved by lodging a certificate to your employer, who is then given 14 days to complete it and send it to their insurer.

If you believe to be injured at work in a way that has affected your shoulder or rotator cuff, you may be entitled to a form of compensation. It is important to act fast, as often stern time limits may apply, so it is vital that you contact us for legal advice promptly.