{"id":5272,"date":"2021-05-18T16:14:17","date_gmt":"2021-05-18T20:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/?p=5272"},"modified":"2021-08-23T17:10:19","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T21:10:19","slug":"workers-compensation-for-benefits-when-you-injure-your-arm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/workers-compensation-for-benefits-when-you-injure-your-arm\/","title":{"rendered":"Workers Compensation For Benefits When You Injure Your Arm"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are very few jobs a worker can do if his\/her arm is injured. Your arm is also known as your \u201cupper extremity\u201d in <a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/practice-areas\/workers-compensation\/\">workers\u2019 compensation<\/a> terms. Workers need their arms to serve food, treat patients, drive, operate machinery, do construction work, or type at a computer. Arm injuries-which often\u00a0 include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/types-of-shoulder-injuries\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shoulder injuries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; are due to either an acute or chronic injury. Acute injuries are normally injuries due to a specific event such as a workplace accident. Chronic injuries are typically wear and tear injuries where the deterioration just becomes too difficult to work with. Unfortunately, under most circumstances, \u201cwear and tear\u201d injuries are not compensable unless they are made symptomatic by a specific, identifiable, traumatic event such as a slip, trip or fall. In Virginia, a sudden, severe pain, accompanied by a \u201cpop\u201d or some other clear indication of a single event\u2014even without a slip, trip or fall&#8212; may be sufficient, so long as it was caused by a risk associated with your employment.\u00a0<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experienced North Carolina and Virginia workers\u2019 compensation lawyers work with your doctors to fully understand why you can\u2019t use your arm, what your injury is, what treatments you need, and what your medical diagnosis is. We fight to help you obtain all the work benefits you deserve including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Payment for all your medical bills including the cost of any surgeries, diagnostic tests,\u00a0 braces and medications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your share of wage loss benefits (generally about 2\/3rds of your salary)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Payment of any permanent impairment in one or both of your arms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also fight to ensure that you are not forced back to work before you can work or that the workplace restrictions (such as limiting the weight of objects you can carry) are clear.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><i>What are the common types of arm injuries<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workplace accidents include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repetitive stress injuries such as:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carpal tunnel syndrome. Pressure on the nerves in the wrist area.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bursitis. According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uofmhealth.org\/health-library\/armli\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">University of Michigan Health department<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this arm injury is \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain and swelling of the sac of fluid that cushions and lubricates the joint area between one bone and another bone, a tendon, or the skin.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tendinitis. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain and swelling of the tough, ropey fibers that connect muscles to bones.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stress fractures. These are hairline cracks in the bones of the arm.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sprains and strains.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rotator Cuff Tears- a tear in the tissues connecting the muscle to bone (tendons) around the shoulder joint. This can come from either repeated stresses or a single incident.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fractures. Broken arms are often due to falls or some type of forceful impact such as a crushing injury or having your arm pinned.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arm and should injuries due to excessive pushing, pulling, or lifting.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An arm <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/workers-compensation-benefits-when-an-amputation-occurs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amputation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This injury can be caused by a vehicle accident, when an arm is pinned, a machinery failure, or getting your arm caught in a machine such as an electric saw or any cutting device.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bruises or contusions. This type of injury occurs due to falls, bumps, or other causes. These injuries occur when there is a tear or rupture of the blood vessels under the skin. The blood seeps into the tissue cause discoloration \u2013 such as yellow, red, or purple bruises.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dislocations. This injury occurs when the bones in the arm push or pull their way out of their normal position in relation to other arm bones.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ruptures. The arm muscles (such as the biceps are triceps) may rupture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strains. These are pulled muscles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/burn-injuries-and-workers-compensation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burn injuries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When toxic chemicals spill or when workers work with hazardous products, their arms are often affected because workers use their arms to work and because their arms often aren\u2019t covered by clothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/types-of-shoulder-injuries\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shoulder injuries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as rotator cuff tears- a tear in the tissues connecting the muscle to bone (tendons) around the shoulder joint. This can come from either repeated stresses or a single incident.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elbow injuries- weakened or fatigues muscles or injuries to the ulnar nerve, which passes around the end of the upper arm bone.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three bones in the arm \u2013 the humerus, radius, and ulna. The arms also contain muscles, joints, tendons, and tissue<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acute arm injuries may be due to a direct forceful blow, a fall, or a penetrating injury. Acute arm injuries may also be due to an abnormal movement or bending of the arm<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><i>What are the treatments for arm injuries?<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Workers with arm injuries may start their medical review by seeing an emergency room doctor or their family doctor. In many work injury cases, the workers will see an orthopedic doctor \u2013 especially ones who focuses on arm injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, workers in North Carolina and Virginia must see physicians that are on a list approved by their employer, although if you must undergo emergency surgery immediately after your arm injury, then the surgeon will usually stay on as your authorized treating physician.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are all familiar with folks who break their arm and end up in a cast, but many upper extremity injuries can be far more severe. If the fractures in any of the bones of the arm are severe, then an Open Reduction Internal Fixation surgery may be required to fixate the bones into position so they can heal. If there are nerve injuries, frequently in the wrist or elbow, then the nerves may need to be decompressed via surgery. If the shoulder is injured, then arthroscopic surgery may need to be performed such as a rotator cuff repair. If the damage is too extensive or severe, you may even require a reverse shoulder replacement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the diagnostic tests your health providers will use include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">X-Rays. This imaging test is used to determine if you have a bone fracture or a fractured joint.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MRIs. A magnetic resonance imaging test may be used. This test, among other uses, can help assess if you have a tear in your arm or shoulder.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/emg-and-nerve-conduction-study#1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EMG\/NCS (Electromyogram\/Nerve Conduction Studies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Your physician may use this test to see if you have a compressed nerve.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b><i>When can workers with arm injuries return to work?<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The answer to this question depends on different factors such as the type of injury, the severity of the injury, the functional use of your am, the type of work you do, and the amount of pain you have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, you are not required to return to work at full capacity until you have reached the point of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/maximum-medical-improvement-mmi-in-workers-compensation-cases\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">maximum medical improvement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (MMI). MMI is when it is clear that additional medical treatment won\u2019t improve the health of your arm. Once your arm is at the point of maximum medical improvement, your doctor will evaluate whether you have a permanent injury, whether you can return to work with restrictions, or whether you can return to work without any restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The insurance company for the employer may request an independent medical examination be conducted at some point in your recovery if the treating doctors think you haven\u2019t reached the MMI stage or the treating doctors think you have a permanent arm injury.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, you will typically undergo a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/functional-capacity-exams-fces-in-north-carolina-and-virginia-workers-compensation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Functional Capacity Exam (FCE)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which will evaluate your work capabilities. In addition to the \u201cwork capability\u201d FCE, you may also undergo a separate FCE for the purposes of determining whether you have any permanent partial impairment in the arm. This may result in an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=buKVZQ1Aajg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">impairment rating<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which could entitle you to additional funds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Carolina and Virginia workers\u2019 compensation lawyer Joe Miller represents workers who suffer any type of workplace accident or occupational illness. For more than 30 years, he\u2019s helped thousands of employees obtain just work injury recoveries. He has the experience and resources to help you get justice and to help ensure you get the medical care you deserve for an arm injury or any other injury. To discuss your workers\u2019 compensation claim, call lawyer Joe Miller, Esq., at <\/span><b>888-667-8295<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. or use my online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact form<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to schedule an appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Carolina and Virginia workers now also fill out our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/free-workers-comp-case-eval\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Electronic Case Review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The link is a new way of communicating with clients that we\u2019re offering &#8211; to allow workers to contact us remotely during the pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are very few jobs a worker can do if his\/her arm is injured. Your arm is also known as your \u201cupper extremity\u201d in workers\u2019 compensation terms. Workers need their arms to serve food, treat patients, drive, operate machinery, do construction work, or type at a computer. Arm injuries-which often\u00a0 include shoulder injuries &#8211; are &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Workers Compensation For Benefits When You Injure Your Arm\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/workers-compensation-for-benefits-when-you-injure-your-arm\/#more-5272\" aria-label=\"Read more about Workers Compensation For Benefits When You Injure Your Arm\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,13,10],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Joe Miller","author_link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/author\/jmiller\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"There are very few jobs a worker can do if his\/her arm is injured. Your arm is also known as your \u201cupper extremity\u201d in workers\u2019 compensation terms. Workers need their arms to serve food, treat patients, drive, operate machinery, do construction work, or type at a computer. Arm injuries-which often\u00a0 include shoulder injuries &#8211; are&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5272"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5272"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5272\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}