Knee & Shoulder Injuries in Construction Accidents Attorney in New York City, NY

Shoulders are some of the hardest working joints in the body, and construction workers rely on them every day to get the job done. When a shoulder injury happens on the job site, it can result in a long rehabilitation process or can even mean the end of a career.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, accidents that damage the shoulders are among the most common of workplace injuries. In the most recent statistics, almost 87,000 workers suffered shoulder injuries on the job in 2009. Shoulders can be injured at a New York City construction site from either a traumatic blow or from constant overuse. In some circumstances, you could be entitled to damages if you suffered a shoulder injury while working at a construction site.

Did You Suffer a Shoulder Injury in a New York Construction Accident?

If you or a loved one received a shoulder injury at work in a New York construction accident and someone other than an employer was to blame, you could be entitled to receive damages if the third party falls outside of the workers’ compensation system. The NYC construction shoulder injury lawyers at David Resnick & Associates, PC, are skilled at evaluating construction accident claims and can help you determine whether the negligence of a third party caused or contributed to your injuries. We also can help if you were a non-employee who was injured while visiting a construction site. Call our firm today at 212-279-2000 or use our online contact form for a free evaluation of your case.

We serve construction accident victims in all of New York City, including Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Long Island.

About NYC Construction Accidents Involving Knee & Shoulder Injuries

The shoulder is a complex joint that is used in almost all work applications. Because it has such a wide range of motion, the shoulder is particularly prone to injury.

The humerus (the upper arm bone) is joined to the scapula (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collarbone) at the shoulder. The joint itself is a ball-and-socket type that allows the arm to rotate 360 degrees. Muscles, ligaments and tendons hold the shoulder together and allow it to function. Two types of cartilage — white and labrum — along with the bursa (fluid-filled sacs) facilitate smooth movement. The components of the ball-and-socket joint are frequently called the “rotator cuff.”

Overuse of the shoulder can cause the rotator cuff to become inflamed, triggering pain, limiting the shoulder’s motion and making it weak. In more severe cases, the tendons, muscles and ligaments can be torn and surgery may be necessary. The bursa can also become swollen, resulting in bursitis, another painful and limiting condition.

Overuse or trauma can also cause a shoulder to become separated (where the tendons connecting the scapula to the clavicle become damaged) or dislocated (where the ball end of the humerus pops out of the socket). One of the more difficult shoulder injuries to diagnose is what is known as a SLAP tear. SLAP stands for “superior labrum (tear) from anterior to posterior), and the condition occurs when the more fibrous cartilage of the socket end of the shoulder is damaged.

Although any New York City construction worker can suffer a shoulder injury, people who do repetitive lifting or lots of overhead work are particularly prone. Construction by its very nature demands that people must do work above their heads, with their arms lifted. Some trades that involve a great deal of overhead work include: painting, drywall installation, scaffold erection, welding, sheet metal work, plastering, ceiling installation, plumbing and more.

Some shoulder conditions can be so severe that they require long recovery periods or may even end someone’s career in construction. It’s important to get treatment for a shoulder injury immediately, as continued overuse can make the situation worse. It’s also important to talk to a qualified New York City construction accident lawyer like those at David Resnick & Associates, PC, to determine if you might be entitled to damages from a negligent third party that caused or contributed to your injury.

Our Manhattan Construction Injury Attorneys Are Here to Help

If you suspect that your construction accident fracture is due to the negligence of a third party, rather than your employer, don’t wait any longer. Contact David Resnick & Associates for a free consultation. We can be reached at 212-279-2000 or you can use our online contact form.