San Francisco Work-Related Shoulder Injury Lawyer

San Francisco Work-Related Shoulder Injury Attorney

In California, employees routinely are injured at work, and shoulder injuries happen frequently. If you work in a hard, manual labor job, it is likely not surprising to you that workers sustain injuries, and you’d probably agree that employers should take reasonable steps to protect their employees’ safety. If you were a victim of a workplace accident, an experienced San Francisco work-related shoulder injury lawyer can help discuss your recovery rights as an employee.

A knowledgeable San Francisco workers’ compensation lawyer at Bridges Law Firm can investigate your injury, explore your recovery options, and help build a compelling workers’ comp claim on your behalf. An attorney can link your work-related shoulder injury to your job duties and provide advice tailored to your situation. A lawyer can help discuss what happened during an initial consultation.

Are Work-Related Shoulder Injuries Common?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that work-related shoulder injuries happen across the country. In 2023 alone, employers reported 439 workplace fatalities in California. Data shows that 2.4 out of every 100 full-time workers across the US were either hurt or sustained illnesses due to nonfatal workplace incidents. The following year, US employers reported 2.6 million injury and illness cases in 2023.

For upper extremity injuries, like a shoulder injury, in California, the rates of injury for nonfatal occupational injuries were 35.9 per 10,000 workers for all upper extremity injuries and specifically 5.3 per 10,000 for shoulder injuries.

Also, Amazon employs a large number of workers who are hurt on the job. In California, workers at fifty-one of the large logistics centers suffered 5,848 injuries and illnesses. Of those employees, approximately 90% of the workers were hurt sufficiently to have to stop working, or they were required to switch to an entirely different job. Employers must follow California’s workplace safety tips to prevent repetitive motion injuries like shoulder strains. This data shows a disturbingly high rate of workplace injury for Amazon employees.

Reasons Employees Sustain Injuries

If you’re employed in California, this data might not be much of a shock, especially if you work around dangerous situations. Of note, there are some common reasons that employees sustain injuries at work, which include:

• Being exposed to a harmful environment
• Adverse contact with an object or equipment
• Being struck by an object or workplace equipment
• Overextension and/or bodily reaction
• Repetitive motions, like labor that requires lifting, pushing, etc.

If you sustained an on-the-job shoulder injury or a work-related injury, consider filing a claim for workers’ compensation.

What Are the First Steps in a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Workers’ compensation is designed to provide recovery for employees who have suffered work-related injuries or illnesses. The compensation system can provide financial recovery for the following:

• Medical bills
• Wage loss
• Disability, whether on a short-term, long-term, or permanent basis
• Expenses for the passing of a loved one if it was work-related, like funeral and burial expenses

If your claim for benefits is denied outright, an attorney can help discuss it and possibly appeal it. Also, an attorney can explore whether you received the full benefits for which you may have been eligible. If you need supplemental support beyond what’s provided by your California workers’ comp benefits, you may want to discuss a civil claim with a licensed workers’ compensation attorney.

To file a workers’ comp claim, you need to connect your work-related shoulder injury to your employee duties. An attorney can help gather information to connect your injury to your specific job duties. They can provide comprehensive support throughout the entire process and help maximize the amount you get for your injury recovery.

FAQs About Work-Related Shoulder Injury Law in San Francisco,CA

What Are Some Common Workplace Shoulder Injuries in California?

Some common shoulder injuries in California often include shoulder bursitis, rotator cuff tears, and shoulder dislocations. These injuries at work are often caused by trauma, overuse, or other work-related activities. If you sustained a recent shoulder injury while performing work duties, consider consulting an experienced attorney to discuss what happened and how to pursue a workers’ comp claim.

How Hard Is It to Win a Personal Injury Claim for a Work-Related Shoulder Injury?

It can be challenging to win a personal injury claim after a work-related shoulder accident, and your success with a claim typically depends on proving a direct correlation between the injury and your workplace conditions that led to the accident. An attorney can help prove causation, gather medical evidence, and document employer negligence. Also, more substantial injuries tend to lead to stronger claims with higher personal injury settlements.

What Evidence Can Help Support a Claim for a Work-Related Shoulder Injury?

To prove your claim for a work-related shoulder injury, you can gather evidence to bolster your claim. You can collect evidence like medical records, witness statements, accident reports, injury and scene photographs, safety reports related to your workplace, and inspection logs. If you need help supporting your claim, an attorney can help gather compelling evidence and connect your injury with your work duties.

What Information Is Helpful to Have in an Incident Report for a Shoulder Injury?

When completing an incident report at work for your work-related shoulder injury, it’s important to make sure you include as much information as possible. You can detail the day and time the accident happened. You can include information about the accident location and any conditions you believe may have led to the accident’s occurrence.

Also, seek out any coworkers who may have seen what happened and ask that they prepare witness statements, whether written or verbal.

Contact Bridges Law Firm for a Consultation With an Attorney

If you or a loved one needs help with a work-related shoulder injury and is pursuing a workers’ comp claim in San Francisco, Bridges Law Firm is ready to discuss your side of the story. We routinely help clients maximize their compensation after workplace injuries. You can trust us to take your case seriously and to help win all your workers’ comp benefits. Let us use our extensive experience to help you.

Our San Francisco law office is in the Mission District, right near the 24th Street Mission BART station. Feel free to stop by to set up a meeting with an experienced attorney. Contact us to schedule your initial consultation with an experienced attorney.