An injury to any part of the body can be painful and shoulder injuries are no exception. The shoulder is the most flexible and mobile joint in the body and is important in how we move our hands.

We depend on our shoulders and if injuries occur, the resulting disability even if short lived can have a dramatic effect on our well being. . The shoulder consists of the tendons of the rotator cuff, superspinateous muscle, teros minor muscle and the infraspinatous. The shoulder is made of three bones. These bones are connected by ligaments, muscles and the tendons and because it is a complex area injuries can be difficult to treat. The shoulder area is especially vunerable to degeneration and when injured it can take longer to heal than other parts of the body.

Injury to the shoulder is often caused in road traffic accidents, particularly in motor cycle accidents and those involving pedal cycles. Whiplash injuries to the shoulder and neck are another common outcome of a car accident.

Another regular source of an injury to this part of the body is accidents at work, particularly lifting accidents and the effects can often be debilitating. Another area where injuries to shoulders are often found is in slipping and tripping cases. Falling onto an outstretched hand can result in serious injury. Sporting accidents are another.

Types of shoulder injury include

• Ligament injury
• Muscle and tendon injury
• Damaged cartilage
• Bruising
• Fractures to the shoulder and/or collar bone
• Dislocation
• Rotator Cuff Injuries
• Frozen Shoulder
• Shoulder Impingement
• Separated Shoulder

To take a few examples;

Injury to the rotator cuff that is the muscles and tendons which cover the shoulder joint. The area can become inflamed as a result of injury and tears as a result of weakened tendons during an accident are not uncommon

Dislocation, that is when the shoulder comes out of the socket, common in sporting injuries and often in lifting accidents

A separated shoulder, often known as acromioclavicular separation or AC separation, is an injury to the joint which can be very painful and require prolonged medical treatment.

Sprains and strains can result even because of a minor injury and can be short lived where others can cause shoulder pain for some considerable time.

Treatment for a shoulder injury will depend on the individual circumstances, often physiotherapy will help but sometimes surgical intervention is necessary

Typical shoulder injury compensation amounts.

Examples of compensation amounts vary from the more severe involving damage to the brachial plexus and associated neck problems at up to £30750
Dislocations up to £12250
Frozen shoulder anything up to £8000
And a minor soft tissue injury that is sprains and strains leading to a recovery, up to £5000.
You should note that these are estimates. All awards of compensation depend on an individuals circumstances and the level of disability and residual symptoms.
If you have received injury to your shoulder as a result of a car accident, an accident at work or if you have tripped or slipped, then you should seek immediate medical assistance. You may also be entitled to compensation and should contact a specialist to help you.