They say it is fine, but you see them struggle with the dishes, their hair and sleep. Here is what you may be noticing, and how to support the next step together.
What you may be seeing at home
They come home from a shift and cannot lift the plates into the cupboard. They wash their hair with one arm, stop sleeping on that side and wince pulling on a scrub top. When you ask, they say it is fine and they will push through.
Families often notice a work shoulder injury before anyone at work does, because home is where the small daily movements stop working. If the pain started with lifting or moving patients at work, it can be a work injury, even if there was no single dramatic moment.
Why a work injury affects the whole household
A shoulder that will not lift changes more than a job. Chores shift to someone else, sleep gets worse, and worry about missed shifts and medical bills sits on the whole family. Many healthcare workers keep working hurt because they feel needed at work and do not want to let anyone down.
Toughing it out can stop being the smart choice. Shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff tears can get worse with continued strain, and a delay in reporting or treatment can make the claim harder to sort out later.
Useful next steps you can take together
Ask whether the injury has been reported to their employer in writing, and help them keep a copy. Colorado has time limits for reporting a work injury. Ask whether they have seen a doctor from the list their employer provides, and whether the doctor wrote down any work restrictions.
Help them keep a simple file: the report, appointment summaries, restrictions, letters about the claim and a note of missed shifts. You can also keep your own short notes about what they can no longer do at home, which helps describe how the injury affects daily life.
How to support them without taking over
It is their claim and their decision, so lead with what you have noticed rather than what they should do. Offer to drive to an appointment, read a confusing letter together or make the first phone call with them on speaker.
If treatment is denied, pay stops while they are still hurt, or a letter about the claim leaves you both unsure what it means, it may be time to talk with a workers’ compensation lawyer. The Law Offices of W. Dan Mahoney, P.C. talks with injured workers and their families about where a claim stands and what options may apply.
Questions to talk through together
- Has the injury been reported to the employer in writing?
- Have they seen a doctor from the employer’s list, and are restrictions written down?
- What can they no longer do at home since the injury?
- Have missed shifts or reduced hours been written down?
- Is there a letter about the claim neither of you understands?
Frequently asked questions
They say it is just soreness. Should I push?
You can share what you have noticed and why it worries you. If the arm will not lift, the pain is getting worse or it is affecting sleep and daily tasks, that is a reason to report it and see a doctor.
Can a family member call a lawyer for them?
You can make the first call together. A lawyer will usually want to speak with the injured worker about their claim, and you are welcome to help with paperwork and questions.
What medical care can workers’ compensation cover?
It can cover care such as doctor visits, testing, physical therapy and surgery when the claim is accepted. Our benefits page lists the kinds of care that can be included.
Helpful pages for families
For a fuller picture of how workers’ compensation claims work for nurses, CNAs and other healthcare workers, see our main service page.