Shoulder Injury in Workplace Injury Cases
Shoulder injuries include rotator cuff tears, dislocations, labrum tears, and fractures. The shoulder’s wide range of motion makes it vulnerable in many types of accidents.
Workplace Injury cases in Colorado that result in shoulder injury are subject to 3 years for third-party PI claims; WC: 4-day notice + 2-year claim deadline. Under Colorado’s modified comparative fault system (C.R.S. § 13-21-111), your recovery is reduced by your fault percentage and barred entirely at 50% or more fault.
Shoulder Injury Settlement Ranges
| Severity | Estimated Settlement Range |
|---|---|
| Low Severity | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Medium Severity | $30,000 – $100,000 |
| High Severity / Catastrophic | $100,000 – $400,000+ |
These ranges are general estimates based on Colorado verdict and settlement data. Actual case values vary based on specific facts.
Medical Treatment & Case Impact
Treatment ranges from physical therapy and cortisone injections to arthroscopic surgery or total shoulder replacement. Recovery from shoulder surgery takes 4 to 12 months.
Shoulder injury cases depend heavily on whether surgery is needed. Rotator cuff repairs and shoulder replacements significantly increase value. The impact on work capacity, especially for physical laborers, is a major factor in Colorado settlement negotiations.