The Various Types of Shoulder Injuries Suffered in Slip and Fall Accidents

Our arms and shoulders are used every day, even in the simplest of ways including brushing our teeth, combing our hair, drinking, eating, and driving. In addition, most people use their arms and shoulders to get their jobs done. So when a shoulder injury occurs, it can be debilitating.

Shoulder injuries are often the result of a traumatic accident, such as a slip and fall accident. When a person lands on his or her shoulder, it can cause trauma to the shoulder.

Here are some of the different types of shoulder injuries victims of slip and fall accidents often suffer, including:

• Fractured clavicle. This type of injury is also known as a broken collarbone, and it occurs when someone falls onto his or her outstretched arm. A broken collarbone will cause a person to suffer swelling, pain, a bump around the break, and trouble moving the arm and shoulder. This type of shoulder injury will likely need rest with the use of a splint or sling, anti-inflammatory painkillers, and rehabilitation.
• Shoulder dislocation. This type of shoulder injury occurs when the upper arm bone slides out of its socket. When this occurs, a person will suffer pain, swelling, numbness, and unsteadiness in the shoulder. Treatment typically includes a doctor placing the shoulder back into the socket and immobilizing the shoulder in a sling for a few weeks. Treatment will also include pain medication and rehabilitation.
• Shoulder separation. This type of shoulder injury occurs when a person suffers a blow to the top of the shoulder. Typically, a ligament is torn, which causes the collarbone and shoulder to separate. Symptoms include pain, a lump on top of the shoulder, bruising, limited range of motion and weakness. Treatment for this type of shoulder injury could include ice and immobilization or surgery, and it will depend on the severity.
• Rotator cuff injury. The rotator cuff helps hold a person’s arm in the shoulder and move and rotate. When the muscles that make up the rotator cuff are torn, a person will have pain, loss of strength, and the inability to move and rotate their arm like how it is supposed to work. Surgery is typically needed to repair this type of shoulder injury.
• Fractured scapula. The scapula is also known as the shoulder blade that connects the chest to the upper arm. When a person suffers a broken shoulder blade, pain will occur and the arm will appear flattened. Also, the person will be unable to lift the arm connected to the fractured scapula. Typically, treatment for this type of injury includes ice, immobilization, and pain management with medications; however, sometimes surgery is necessary.
• Labrum tear. This type of injury occurs when someone falls onto his or her outstretched arm. The labrum is a ring of firm tissue around the shoulder socket that helps keep the arm in the shoulder socket. When it tears, the shoulder doesn’t feel stable, there is weakness, pain, and a clicking or popping noise. Typically surgery is needed to repair this type of shoulder injury.

When any one of these shoulder injuries occur, victims will often need rest, medications, and physical therapy. Often times these injuries occur alongside other shoulder injuries and require surgery. Because medical care is expensive and it is likely a shoulder injury will cause lost income due to being out of work, it is essential that victims of slip and fall accidents pursue damages.

To learn about filing a legal claim in order to collect the compensation you are due, call the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at 866-9 HELP NOW or (954) 677-0155(954) 677-0155 for a free consultation with an experienced slip and fall attorney in South Florida.