If you are a stone mason or construction worker in Washington, D.C. and you are hurt at work, you may still receive workers’ compensation benefits even if you cannot return to masonry work.
Stone masonry is hard and demanding work. When a serious injury happens, going back to the job is not always possible.
Common Stone Mason Injuries
Stone masons often deal with injuries caused by lifting, climbing, and working on construction sites.
Common injuries include:
- Back injuries from lifting heavy stone or blocks
- Shoulder injuries such as a torn rotator cuff
- Knee injuries like ACL tears from climbing or uneven surfaces
- Hand and wrist injuries from tools or stone materials
- Falls from scaffolding or ladders on construction sites
If Your Doctor Restricts You To Light Duty
After a work injury, a doctor may place restrictions on what you can do at work. If you are put on light duty, that means you are restricted from lifting heavy materials, climbing, or perform other demanding tasks. It’s important to ALWAYS listen to your doctor. If you return to work too soon, you could injure yourself further.
Light duty might now be possible in masonry work because most of those jobs require physical labor. If your employer can’t provide work within those restrictions, workers’ comp benefits may continue while you recover.
Stone Mason Rotator Cuff Injury Case We Handled
We represented a 54-year-old master stone mason who had worked in construction for more than 30 years without ever being seriously injured. While working on a bridge in DC, he was placing decorative stone overhead when he suddenly felt a pop in his shoulder.
By the end of the day, he could no longer lift his arm.
An MRI confirmed a rotator cuff tear, and he needed surgery followed by months of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, he never regained full strength in the shoulder. His doctors eventually restricted him from returning to construction work because the overhead lifting required in masonry would continue to strain the joint.
We helped make sure he continued receiving workers’ compensation benefits during his recovery. His case ultimately resulted in a significant settlement that helped him transition into lighter work and create a tax-free retirement fund so he could continue supporting his family.
You can read more on his settlement here: Stone Mason Settles D.C. Workers’ Comp Case After Shoulder Injury
If you’re a stone mason or construction worker who got hurt on the job and can’t go back to the work you used to do, give us a call at 202-393-3320 or book your free and completely confidential consultation here: Book Free Consultation.
Frank Kearney Explains What Happens If You Can’t Return to Work
If a work injury prevents you from going back to construction or masonry work, the workers’ compensation system can feel confusing. In this video, Frank explains what happens when an injury keeps someone from returning to their job and what options may still be available.