California Workers’ Comp Settlements for Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are among the most common problems we see in California workers’ compensation cases. Whether you’re lifting boxes in a warehouse, swinging a hammer on a construction site, or reaching overhead on an assembly line, your shoulders take a beating. When one gives out, it can end your ability to do heavy work. The question most injured workers ask us right away: what is my case worth, and how do I protect my rights?
At Lee Partners Law: Work Injury Attorneys, we’ve handled hundreds of shoulder cases across California. Having defended insurance companies in the past, we know how they try to minimize claims. We now use that experience for injured workers, pressing cases forward and making sure settlements reflect real loss of function.
Common work‑related shoulder injuries
Rotator cuff tears (partial or full thickness)
Labrum tears (SLAP lesions, Bankart tears)
Impingement syndrome and bursitis
Dislocations and instability
Fractures of the clavicle, scapula, or humeral head
Post‑surgical stiffness or frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
These injuries can arise from a single traumatic event like a heavy lift or fall, or from repetitive overhead activity over time. Cumulative trauma cases are common in warehouse, construction, and transportation jobs.
Treatment and recovery
Conservative care usually comes first: physical therapy, injections, work restrictions, and rest. If pain and weakness continue, surgery may be required. The most common are arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, labral repair, decompression, or in more severe cases, shoulder replacement.
Recovery is long. It’s not unusual for shoulder cases to take a year or more to reach maximum medical improvement. During that time, you may be on modified duty or temporary disability benefits.
How settlements are valued in shoulder cases
Once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, the doctor must provide a permanent impairment rating under the AMA Guides, Fifth Edition. For shoulders, the Guides rely heavily on:
Range‑of‑motion measurements in multiple planes: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation
Strength loss documented on exam
Ongoing instability or recurrent dislocations
Outcome of surgery: partial repair vs. total replacement
These impairments are converted into a Whole Person Impairment (WPI), which is then run through California’s Permanent Disability Rating Schedule. Adjustments are made for age and occupation, and apportionment to prior conditions if applicable.
Factors that increase case value
Documented, reproducible range‑of‑motion loss
Multiple failed surgeries or residual weakness despite surgery
Instability with recurrent dislocations
Imaging studies showing structural damage (MRI, CT)
Restrictions that eliminate heavy lifting or overhead work
The role of QME exams
In most disputed cases, the Qualified Medical Examiner’s report carries enormous weight. For shoulder cases, you want a QME who carefully measures range of motion and documents instability. We always prepare our clients before these exams, making sure job duties and daily limitations are clearly explained. If the report is incomplete, we move to correct or rebut it. We also make sure all other specialties related to shoulder are covered such as QMEs for high blood pressure, QME for headaches, teeth grinding, stomach pain or anything else that is a secondary effect of your injury.
Settlement options: Stipulations vs. Compromise & Release
Stipulations with Request for Award. You receive permanent disability payments and retain future medical care rights. Appropriate if you expect ongoing care: injections, therapy, or possibly surgery.
Compromise & Release (C&R). You receive a lump sum and close out medical care. This may be considered if you want to treat outside the workers’ comp system or if medical needs are limited.
Vocational impact
If your restrictions prevent you from returning to your regular job, California offers the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (a voucher for retraining). In certain cases, vocational evidence can show loss of access to the labor market, which can dramatically affect settlement value.
Common insurer arguments in shoulder cases
“This is just wear and tear.” We counter with medical evidence linking job duties to the injury.
“MRI doesn’t show much.” Clinical exams and job‑duty descriptions often tell the real story.
“You can still do light duty.” We confirm whether offered light duty is real and whether it fits within your restrictions.
FAQs
How long does a shoulder case take to settle? It depends on whether surgery is needed and how long recovery takes. Most cases resolve after maximum medical improvement and a final QME report.
What if I had a prior shoulder injury? Full disclosure helps. The law separates old impairment from new industrial impairment.
Do I need a lawyer for a shoulder injury? The insurer has professionals working to limit your claim. Having an attorney levels the playing field.
Should I keep medical care open or take a lump sum? It depends on age, expected future care, and your comfort with the workers’ comp system. We walk clients through both options.
Our approach to shoulder cases
We know how insurance companies attack shoulder claims, because we used to defend them. We now use that insight to push back, making sure your impairment is properly rated and your settlement reflects the real impact on your life.
Call or text David Lee or Michael Lee at Lee Partners Law for a free consultation. We handle cases across Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire, the High Desert, Ventura County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Diego.
Service areas and nearby cities
Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Pomona, El Monte, Whittier, Downey, Inglewood, Compton, Torrance, Carson, Hawthorne, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, West Covina, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Arcadia, San Gabriel, El Segundo, Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood.
High Desert and Inland Empire: Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Palmdale, Lancaster, San Bernardino, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona, Temecula, Murrieta, Perris, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Menifee.
San Diego County: San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Escondido, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Poway.
Ventura and Orange County: Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Paula, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Westminster, Huntington Beach.