Torn Your Rotator Cuff Working as an Elevator Mechanic?
If you’re an elevator mechanic who injured your shoulder at work, you know how difficult it can be to do your job when you can’t lift, reach overhead, or use your arm without pain.
Elevator mechanics spend their days lifting heavy equipment, climbing ladders, and working in tight spaces. A torn rotator cuff can make that work nearly impossible, especially if you need surgery or your doctor takes you out of work.
If you suffered a shoulder injury at work in Washington, DC, workers’ compensation may cover your medical treatment and part of your lost wages while you recover.
What Is a Torn Rotator Cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help you lift, rotate, and move your arm. When one of those tendons tears, even simple movements can become painful.
For elevator mechanics, a rotator cuff tear can happen suddenly while lifting heavy equipment or develop over time from repetitive lifting and overhead work.
If you tore your rotator cuff, you may be experiencing:
- Shoulder pain that gets worse when lifting your arm
- Weakness in your shoulder or arm
- Difficulty reaching or working overhead
- Limited movement that makes it difficult to do your job
If you’re experiencing these symptoms after a work injury, report the injury to your employer and get medical treatment. Make sure your doctor knows how the injury happened and what you do for work.
Who Pays for Torn Rotator Cuff Surgery After a Work Injury?
Some rotator cuff injuries improve with physical therapy and other treatment. More serious tears may require surgery, especially when the injury affects your ability to lift or use your arm.
Recovery after shoulder surgery can take months. You may need physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and time away from work while your shoulder heals.
In Washington, DC, workers’ compensation is supposed to cover necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including approved shoulder surgery, doctor visits, imaging, and physical therapy.
But insurance companies sometimes delay or deny surgery, even when your doctor recommends it. These delays can leave you waiting for treatment while you’re still in pain and unable to return to work.
What If You Can’t Work After a Torn Rotator Cuff Injury?
If your doctor takes you out of work because of your shoulder injury, you may qualify for wage replacement benefits through workers’ compensation.
Your doctor may also give you restrictions on lifting, climbing, or reaching overhead. For elevator mechanics, finding light duty work that follows those restrictions can be difficult.
If your employer doesn’t have suitable light duty available, you may still qualify for wage benefits, depending on your workers’ compensation case.
Is a Torn Rotator Cuff Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
A torn rotator cuff may be covered by workers’ compensation if it happened because of your job. That can include an injury from lifting something heavy or repetitive work that damages your shoulder over time.
In this video, Attorney Frank Kearney explains how torn rotator cuff injuries happen at work and when workers’ compensation may cover medical treatment and lost wages.
Other Common Injuries Elevator Mechanics Experience
Shoulder injuries aren’t the only injuries elevator mechanics face. Working with heavy equipment, climbing ladders, and moving through tight spaces can also lead to:
- Back and neck injuries from lifting heavy equipment
- Knee injuries from climbing ladders, kneeling, or working in tight spaces
- Head injuries from falls or being struck by equipment
If you’ve suffered one of these injuries at work, don’t ignore the pain or try to push through it. Report the injury and get medical treatment so your doctor can document what happened.
Injured Your Shoulder Working as an Elevator Mechanic in DC?
If you’re dealing with a torn rotator cuff, shoulder surgery, or time away from work, don’t wait to get help with your workers’ compensation case.
Attorney Frank Kearney has more than 30 years of experience helping injured workers. At Donahoe Kearney, we deal with insurance companies, help with delayed treatment and wage checks, and work to protect your benefits so you can focus on getting better.
Call 202-393-3320 or contact our team for a free consultation.
Related Resources
Securing a Torn Rotator Cuff Settlement
How Surgery Impacts a Workers’ Compensation Settlement
Torn Your Rotator Cuff or Suffered a Shoulder Injury at Work? Contact Us