Shoulder Injury at Work Claim | UK Compensation Guide

What types of shoulder injury happen at work?

• Rotator cuff tears (partial or full thickness)
• Labral tears (SLAP lesions)
• Dislocations and subluxations
• AC joint injuries
• Soft tissue strains and sprains
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) — can develop after injury
• Fractures of the clavicle or humeral head following a fall

What causes shoulder injuries at work?

(Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992)

• Lifting, carrying or lowering loads without adequate risk assessment
• Patient handling in healthcare and care work
• Repetitive overhead tasks (painting, assembly, stacking shelves)
• Falls from height or on the same level
• Being struck by an object or vehicle
• Sudden jerking or catching a heavy load

What are your employer's duties?

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 require employers to avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable, carry out suitable risk assessments for tasks that cannot be avoided, and reduce risk to the lowest level reasonably practicable. Where patient handling is involved, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations apply alongside specific NHS guidance on safer handling. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require a general risk assessment covering all tasks, including repetitive work.

How is a shoulder injury at work claim valued?

From the Judicial College Guidelines 17th edition: Serious shoulder injury (significant disability, likely permanent): £19,200 to £48,030 Moderate shoulder injury (some residual symptoms, reasonable recovery): £12,770 to £19,200 Minor shoulder injury (full or near-full recovery within 2 years): £4,350 to £12,770 Fractures — depending on severity and displacement: within the ranges above Special damages — lost earnings, medical treatment, physiotherapy, care — are calculated in addition.

Can you claim for a rotator cuff tear caused by work?

Yes. A rotator cuff tear caused by a single lifting incident, a fall or repetitive work tasks is a recognised occupational injury. You will need an independent medical report from an orthopaedic consultant confirming the diagnosis, the likely cause, and the prognosis. If a pre-existing degenerative condition was accelerated by the work incident, compensation is assessed on the acceleration — not the full underlying condition.

What if your shoulder injury developed gradually?

Gradually developing shoulder conditions (such as rotator cuff tendinopathy or frozen shoulder triggered by cumulative lifting) are treated as gradually developing injuries under the Limitation Act 1980. The three-year time limit runs from the date you first knew the condition was significant, was caused by your work, and that your employer may be responsible — typically around the time of diagnosis.

What evidence supports a shoulder injury claim?

• Accident report or written description of the task that caused the injury
• GP and hospital records from around the time of the injury
• MRI or ultrasound scan results
• Independent orthopaedic medical report
• Payslips showing lost earnings
• Employer's manual handling risk assessment (obtainable via pre-action disclosure)
• Training records showing (or not showing) manual handling training provided