If your shoulder pain didn’t start with a fall or sudden incident, you may wonder whether workers’ compensation still applies.
Not all workplace injuries happen in a single accident. For many Missouri workers, shoulder injuries develop slowly over time—especially from repetitive lifting, overhead work, or constant physical strain.
The answer is yes. Missouri workers’ compensation law does cover repetitive lifting injuries, including shoulder damage. Understanding how these claims work—and how insurers try to deny them—is critical to protecting your rights.
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How Repetitive Lifting Causes Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the body. Repeated stress can gradually damage tendons, muscles, and cartilage—even without a single traumatic event.
Common work‑related shoulder injuries caused by repetitive lifting include:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Labral tears
- Tendonitis or bursitis
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Degenerative joint damage
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
These injuries are especially common among:
- Warehouse and distribution workers
- Construction workers and tradespeople
- Nurses, CNAs, and home health aides
- Factory and assembly‑line workers
- Delivery drivers and material handlers
If your job requires frequent lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling, or overhead movement, shoulder damage can build up over weeks, months, or years.
Missouri Workers’ Comp Covers Gradual Shoulder Injuries
Under Missouri law, a work injury does not have to happen all at once to qualify for workers’ compensation. Injuries caused by repetitive trauma or cumulative stress—including shoulder damage—may still be compensable.
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if:
- Your job duties significantly contributed to your shoulder injury
- Repetitive lifting aggravated a pre‑existing shoulder condition
- Your doctor connects the injury to your work activities
Workers’ comp benefits may include:
✅ Authorized medical treatment
✅ Physical therapy and shoulder surgery
✅ Temporary total disability (lost wages)
✅ Permanent partial or total disability benefits
✅ Mileage reimbursement for medical visits
Why Insurance Companies Often Deny Repetitive Shoulder Claims
Repetitive lifting shoulder injuries are commonly disputed by employers and insurance carriers. Denials often rely on arguments such as:
- “The injury is age‑related or degenerative”
- “There was no specific accident”
- “The injury happened outside of work”
- “The worker waited too long to report symptoms”
These tactics are designed to limit payouts, not reflect the reality of how shoulder injuries develop. Without legal guidance, many workers accept denials they shouldn’t.
What to Do If You Think Repetitive Lifting Injured Your Shoulder
If you’re experiencing ongoing shoulder pain related to your job:
- Report the injury to your employer in writing
Even if symptoms developed gradually, report them as soon as you realize the connection to work. - Request authorized medical treatment
Delays can worsen shoulder injuries and weaken your claim. - Be specific about your job duties
Clearly describe repetitive lifting, overhead tasks, and physical strain. - Do not assume a denial is final
Many denied repetitive injury claims can be successfully appealed. - Speak with a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney
These claims require medical and legal strategy to prove work‑related causation.
Why Missouri Workers Trust James M. Hoffmann
For more than 30 years, Attorney James M. Hoffmann has represented injured workers across Missouri—recovering over $100,000,000 in workers’ compensation benefits. He regularly handles repetitive lifting and shoulder injury claims, including cases involving surgery, permanent restrictions, and disputed causation.
Unlike corporate firms, clients work directly with James, not a junior associate or case manager.
- Based in St. Louis, Missouri
- Focused exclusively on workers’ compensation
- Free consultations
- No fee unless compensation is recovered