You caught the weight, felt the pull and finished your shift. Here is what to do in the first days after a shoulder injury at work, in order.
It happened fast, and you kept working
A patient slips during a transfer and you take their full weight. Or you boost and reposition all shift, and by the end your shoulder burns every time you reach up. Most healthcare workers do the same thing next: finish the shift, ice it at home and hope it is better tomorrow.
If the arm still will not lift the next day, or it hurts to reach overhead, sleep on that side or pull on a scrub top, treat it as a work injury, not a sore muscle. Shoulder injuries like a rotator cuff tear often get worse when you keep working through them, and the steps you take early make the rest of the process easier.
Report it in writing, even if it feels like a small thing
Tell your supervisor or charge nurse what happened, and put it in writing: the date, the time, the task (a transfer, a lift, a boost), the patient situation and who was there. Keep a copy or a photo of what you submitted. Colorado has time limits for reporting a work injury, so do not wait to see whether it settles down.
Many nurses and CNAs hesitate because they do not want to make a big deal of it or leave the unit short. A written report is not a complaint. It is a record that the injury happened at work, made while the details are fresh.
See the right doctor and tell them how it happened
After an on-the-job injury your employer should give you a list of doctors who treat work injuries, and you choose one from that list. Ask for the list if no one offers it. When you see the doctor, describe exactly how the injury happened at work, so the medical record matches your report.
If the doctor gives you restrictions, such as no lifting over a certain weight or no reaching overhead, get them in writing, give a copy to your employer and follow them. Working outside your restrictions can make the injury worse and can make the claim harder to sort out later.
Keep a simple file from day one
Put everything in one place: your written report, the doctor list you were given, visit summaries, work restrictions, any letters from your employer or its insurance company, and a short note each week about what you can and cannot do at work and at home. Write down missed shifts and changed hours too.
If you hear words like MRI, tear or surgery, you do not have to know what they mean for your claim yet. Having the paperwork together means someone can review it with you quickly when questions come up.
When it makes sense to talk with a lawyer
Many claims move forward without trouble. It can make sense to get legal advice when treatment or a test is denied, when you receive a letter you do not understand, when you are pressured back to full duty before your doctor clears you, or when your pay stops while you are still hurt.
The Law Offices of W. Dan Mahoney, P.C. helps injured healthcare workers in Colorado understand where their workers’ compensation claim stands and what options may apply. A call is a chance to ask questions about your situation; it does not commit you to anything.
Questions to answer this week
- Has the injury been reported to your employer in writing, and do you have a copy?
- Did you receive a list of doctors, and have you seen one of them?
- Do you have your work restrictions in writing, and has your employer seen them?
- Are your missed shifts or reduced hours written down?
- Have you received any letter about your claim that you do not understand?
Frequently asked questions
Does it count if there was no single big accident?
A shoulder worn down by repeated lifting, boosting and repositioning at work can still be a work injury. Report it the same way and tell the doctor how your work tasks caused the pain.
Can I see my own doctor?
After an on-the-job injury your employer should provide a list of doctors to treat the injury, and you may select one from that list. Ask for the list in writing if you have not received it.
What if I cannot work while my shoulder heals?
Workers’ compensation in Colorado can include partial wage replacement while an injury keeps you out of work. Our FAQ explains how it is usually calculated; the details depend on your situation.
More from our workers’ compensation pages
Often a coworker sees the injury first and gets asked what to do. The next page is for them.