Shoulder injuries are debilitating. Yet, they are among the most common types of workplace injuries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 88,980 cases of non-fatal shoulder injuries in a recent year. These injuries caused employees to miss a median of 26 days of work, more than any other type of survivable injury. That’s because the shoulder joint plays a critical role in everyday movement and limits your ability to lift, reach, drive, or even perform simple tasks like grabbing a cup of coffee.
For South Carolina workers, a shoulder injury can mean serious disruption to your work and your life. Fortunately, our state’s workers’ compensation system is designed to help support them financially while they recover.
Since 1968, Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers has helped South Carolinians put their lives back together after serious accidents. In that time, we’ve become one of the most highly respected and experienced workers’ compensation law firms in the state. We’re leaders in the field and respected by our peers. Attorneys Matt Jackson and Ken Harrell are both Past Presidents of Injured Workers’ Advocates (IWA), Davis Rice serves on the group’s Executive Committee, and several of our attorneys are also members. With seven offices across Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Greenville, you have our skilled attorneys nearby. Let us guide you through the entire workers’ compensation claims process.
Joye Law Firm Providing Legal Help to South Carolinians With Shoulder Injury Claims
Our firm opened its doors in 1968 to help people hurt on the job and on the road. With a reputation built on decades of success and leadership in the field, our team includes multiple attorneys who have received statewide and national recognition. Matt Jackson has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for Workers’ Compensation in Charleston since 2017 and was selected 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” in the category. Ken Harrell earned “Workers’ Compensation Lawyer of the Year” inclusion multiple times over the last decade, including most recently in 2026. Our law firm has:
- Guided thousands of injured workers through the workers’ compensation claims process
- Negotiated life-changing workers’ comp settlements
- Stood up to insurance companies that refused to cover medical expenses or wage losses
At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we take a unique approach. Every one of our workers’ comp cases is handled by a dedicated team that keeps clients informed, answers questions, and prepares each case as if it may go to a hearing. This thorough, client-focused approach has helped us achieve meaningful results for injured workers across South Carolina, including:
- $325,000 settlement for a pediatric respiratory therapist who suffered a left shoulder injury requiring rotator cuff repair and bicep tendonitis surgery after tripping over a ventilator stand at work.
- $250,000 settlement and lifetime medical coverage for a longshoreman who sustained non-surgical back and shoulder injuries as the result of a fall.
- $185,000 settlement with lifetime medical coverage for a construction worker who sustained a severe shoulder injury while lifting.
- $175,000 settlement for a longshoreman who injured his back and left shoulder due to a fall.
- $157,881 disability award and lifetime medical coverage for a police officer who injured her neck and shoulders in a car crash.
Workers’ Compensation for Shoulder Injuries in South Carolina
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program that most employers in South Carolina must carry. It pays medical treatment costs and partial wage replacement when an employee suffers a workplace injury or an occupational illness. A shoulder injury at work qualifies as a covered work-related injury as long as it occurred in the course and scope of the job. An employee does not have to prove employer negligence but must report the injury to the employer within ninety days and file a workers’ comp claim within two years. Benefits continue until the doctor releases the worker from care or determines that further medical treatment will not improve the condition, known as Maximum Medical Improvement or MMI.
Average Workers’ Comp Settlement for Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are among the more costly workplace injuries when it comes to workers’ compensation. According to data from the National Safety Council, the average settlement for a shoulder injury is around $51,750. This amount typically includes about $26,690 in medical costs for treatment such as doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and medications. The remaining $25,060 goes toward indemnity, which compensates the injured worker for lost wages and other related financial impacts. These figures reflect the serious nature of shoulder injuries and their potential to impact an employee’s ability to work for an extended period.
Most Common Shoulder Injuries in the Workplace and How They Happen
Reaching overhead, catching falling materials, repetitive assembly line tasks, and sudden falls all place stress on the shoulder joint. Some of the most common shoulder injuries seen in workers’ compensation claims include:
- Bankart lesions, which involve a tear in the labrum resulting from shoulder dislocation, can lead to ongoing instability.
- Shoulder impingement, where tendons in the shoulder are compressed during arm movements, causing pain and limited range of motion.
- Frozen shoulder, in which scar tissue stiffens the joint after a period of immobility, severely limiting movement.
- Bursitis, or inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the shoulder joint, often results from repetitive motion or trauma.
- Snapping scapula syndrome, a condition where movement causes a grinding or popping sound due to soft tissue or bony abnormalities.
- SLAP tears affect the upper part of the labrum and can lead to pain, instability, and difficulty with overhead activity.
- Fractured shoulder blade, a rare but serious injury often resulting from direct trauma, which can impact shoulder stability and function.
- Dislocated shoulder, where the upper arm bone is forced out of the socket, potentially damaging surrounding structures and leading to recurring dislocations.
- Rotator cuff tears, which affect the group of muscles and tendons stabilizing the shoulder, can cause weakness, pain, and difficulty lifting the arm.
- Labral tears involve damage to the cartilage that lines the shoulder socket, often resulting in pain, clicking, and decreased range of motion.
These injuries can be minor injuries that respond to rest and physical therapy or serious injuries requiring arthroscopic shoulder surgery or open repair.