Symptoms often include severe pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, making it hard to keep working. Many tears require surgical repair followed by long courses of physical therapy, and some never regain full strength or overhead range.

That last part matters legally. A shoulder that looks repaired on an operative report can still carry permanent restrictions, and the rating you receive at MMI is supposed to reflect what the shoulder can actually do, not what the surgery was supposed to fix.

A workers’ compensation settlement is an agreement between you and your employer’s insurance company to resolve the claim for a sum of money. The amount typically depends on several factors:

• Severity of the injury. Tears that lead to longer recovery or permanent disability generally lead to higher settlements.
• Medical expenses. Surgery, physical therapy, injections, and medication all count.
• Lost wages and earning capacity. Time off work and any lasting effect on what you can earn are factored in.
• Future medical needs. Ongoing care, hardware revision, or a future surgery can be the largest number in the case.

The factors are the same ones behind what a Missouri workers’ comp case is worth, and the last one is where shoulder settlements most often go wrong: a release that closes out future medical care leaves you paying for the next MRI yourself.

Report the injury to your employer promptly, treat with the authorized doctor, and keep records of every visit, restriction, and conversation with the employer or insurer.

Then look hard at the medical side. The treating doctor is chosen by the insurer, and a release with a low rating and no restrictions is an opinion, not a fact. If your shoulder still cannot do the job, a second opinion before you settle may change the rating, the restrictions, and the number.

In 2025 alone, our firm spent over $700,000 on expert witnesses. Shoulder cases are proven the same way they are won: physicians who connect the work incident to the injury, and preparation that treats every disputed claim as one that may need a judge.

Our firm handled roughly 1 in 4 of recent workers’ compensation trials at the St. Louis Division of Workers’ Compensation, out of hundreds of attorneys representing Missouri workers. Insurers know which firms will actually try a case, and it changes how they negotiate.

When the claims administrator knows a trial firm is on the file, refusals of care get reconsidered.

What is a rotator cuff tear worth in Missouri workers’ comp?

It depends on the facts: the surgical outcome, your permanent rating and restrictions, your wage rate, and whether future medical care stays open or is closed out. Two workers with the same MRI can have very different cases.

How long does it take to settle a rotator cuff claim?

The timeline varies. Some cases settle within a few months of reaching maximum medical improvement, while others take longer when the rating, restrictions, or future care are disputed.

Can I receive a lump sum settlement?

Yes. Many Missouri workers’ compensation settlements are paid as a lump sum, although some are structured as periodic payments. How future medical is treated in that settlement matters as much as the amount.

What if I cannot return to my previous job?

If the shoulder cannot do the work anymore, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits or compensation for lost earning capacity, and permanent restrictions can raise the value of the claim. Every case is different; results depend on the facts.