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Average Rotator Cuff Injury Settlements in Columbus, Ohio

average compensation for rotator cuff injury

A rotator cuff injury can be devastating, affecting everything from your ability to work to simple daily tasks like getting dressed or reaching for items on a shelf. If you’ve suffered a rotator cuff tear due to someone else’s negligence or in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

At The Jones Firm, we’ve helped countless Ohio residents secure fair settlements for rotator cuff injuries. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries can take, and we’re here to guide you through the complex process of seeking the compensation you deserve.

What is the Average Settlement for a Rotator Cuff Injury?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “What is the average payout for a rotator cuff injury?” While every case is unique, typical settlements for rotator cuff injuries generally range from $50,000 to $300,000, depending on several factors:

  • Severity of the injury (partial tear vs. complete tear)
  • Required medical treatment (conservative treatment vs. surgery)
  • Impact on your ability to work
  • Your age and overall health
  • Circumstances of the accident
  • Evidence available
  • Insurance policy limits

Let’s break down how settlements might differ based on specific scenarios:

Typical Settlement for Rotator Cuff Injury at Work

Workplace rotator cuff injuries are common, especially in jobs requiring repetitive overhead movements or heavy lifting. For work-related rotator cuff tears, you’ll typically pursue compensation through workers’ compensation.

The average workers’ compensation settlement for a rotator cuff injury in Ohio generally covers:

  • Medical expenses
  • Temporary disability benefits (typically 2/3 of your average weekly wage)
  • Permanent partial disability benefits if you suffer permanent limitations
  • Vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your previous position

Workers’ compensation settlements for rotator cuff injuries requiring surgery typically range from $40,000 to $80,000, though cases with severe permanent disability can result in higher settlements.

Average Compensation for Rotator Cuff Injury from Car Accidents

Rotator cuff tear car accident settlements tend to be higher than workers’ compensation cases since they allow for additional damages beyond economic losses.

A rotator cuff tear from a car accident might result in a settlement covering:

  • All medical expenses (both current and future)
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

For car accident victims requiring rotator cuff surgery, settlements commonly range from $70,000 to $150,000, with complex cases involving permanent limitations potentially reaching $200,000 or more.

Factors That Influence How Much a Rotator Cuff Injury Settlement is Worth

Severity of the Injury

The settlement value varies significantly based on whether you’ve suffered:

  • Partial rotator cuff tear: These injuries sometimes heal with physical therapy and conservative treatment. Partial tear settlements typically range from $40,000 to $80,000.
  • Complete rotator cuff tear: These nearly always require surgical intervention and longer recovery periods. Complete tear settlements often range from $75,000 to $175,000 or more.

Required Treatment and Recovery Time

How much is a rotator cuff surgery settlement worth? This largely depends on the complexity of the surgery and recovery period:

  • Arthroscopic repair: Less invasive with shorter recovery time, typically resulting in settlements of $70,000 to $120,000.
  • Open surgical repair: More invasive with longer recovery, often resulting in settlements of $100,000 to $175,000.
  • Multiple surgeries: Cases requiring multiple procedures can see settlements of $150,000 to $300,000 or more.

The average settlement for shoulder surgery also takes into account the likelihood of future procedures. Many rotator cuff repairs may need revision surgery within 5-10 years, which should be factored into your settlement.

Long-Term Impact and Permanent Limitations

If your rotator cuff injury results in permanent limitations, your settlement should reflect this long-term impact:

  • Limited range of motion: Makes certain activities difficult or impossible
  • Chronic pain: May require ongoing pain management
  • Inability to return to previous employment: May necessitate career change or early retirement
  • Need for assistance with daily activities: May require in-home help

Cases involving permanent disability typically result in higher settlements to compensate for the lifelong impact of the injury.

The Timeline for Rotator Cuff Injury Cases in Ohio

Understanding the timeline for rotator cuff injury cases in Ohio is important because the state has strict deadlines for filing claims:

  • For personal injury claims (like car accidents), Ohio’s statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of injury (per Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10).
  • For workers’ compensation claims, you must report the injury to your employer within one year and file a claim with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Beyond these legal deadlines, the timeline for resolving your case often follows this pattern:

  1. Medical treatment and reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI) – 3 to 12 months
  2. Gathering evidence and building your case – 1 to 3 months
  3. Negotiation with insurance companies – 2 to 6 months
  4. Settlement or proceeding to litigation – 6 to 18+ months if litigation is necessary

How to Maximize Your Rotator Cuff Injury Settlement

If you’re wondering how much you should settle for a shoulder injury, consider these tips to maximize your potential recovery:

  1. Seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment recommendations
  2. Document everything related to your injury and recovery
  3. Keep detailed records of all expenses and financial losses
  4. Don’t accept the first offer from an insurance company
  5. Hire an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the full impact of rotator cuff injuries

Common Challenges in Rotator Cuff Injury Cases

Securing fair compensation for a rotator cuff injury isn’t always straightforward. Common challenges include:

  • Pre-existing conditions: Insurance companies may claim your injury was pre-existing
  • Proving causation: Especially challenging with repetitive stress injuries
  • Downplaying severity: Insurers often minimize the impact of shoulder injuries
  • Policy limits: The at-fault party’s insurance coverage may be insufficient

At The Jones Firm, we’re familiar with these tactics and know how to effectively counter them to protect your right to fair compensation.

How The Jones Firm Can Help with Your Rotator Cuff Injury Claim

Navigating a rotator cuff injury claim can be overwhelming, especially when you’re focused on recovery. Our experienced Ohio personal injury attorneys can help by:

  • Conducting a thorough investigation of your accident
  • Gathering compelling evidence to support your claim
  • Consulting with medical experts to document the full extent of your injury
  • Calculating the true value of your claim, including future needs
  • Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
  • Taking your case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached

Don’t Settle for Less Than You Deserve

A rotator cuff injury can have lasting consequences on your health, career, and quality of life. Don’t let an insurance company pressure you into accepting less than you deserve.

At The Jones Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a rotator cuff injury can take. We’re committed to helping you secure the full and fair compensation you need to move forward.

If you or a loved one has suffered a rotator cuff injury due to someone else’s negligence or in a workplace accident, contact The Jones Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced Ohio personal injury attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call us or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation. Remember, you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Author Bio

Geoff Jones is the CEO and Managing Partner of The Jones Firm, a personal injury law firm in Columbus, Ohio. With years of experience in personal injury law, he has zealously represented clients in a wide range of legal matters, including car accidents, medical malpractice, slip and falls, wrongful death, and other cases.

Geoff received his Juris Doctor from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and is a member of the Columbus Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2022-2023.

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