Lifting and repositioning patients puts constant strain on your shoulders. Healthcare workers face this physical demand during every shift. When a transfer goes wrong, the resulting shoulder injury can leave you unable to work.
New Jersey workers’ compensation covers injuries that occur during your job duties. Patient transfers qualify as part of your assigned work responsibilities. If you hurt your shoulder while moving a patient, you may be eligible for benefits.
What makes a transfer injury compensable
The injury must occur while you are performing your assigned duties. Courts look at whether the transfer was part of your normal job tasks. Sudden lifts, awkward angles, and patient resistance can all cause immediate shoulder damage.
Repetitive transfers can also lead to gradual wear. Rotator cuff tears often develop over time from repeated strain. New Jersey recognizes both sudden traumatic injuries and occupational diseases that develop gradually. For gradual conditions like tears from repetitive transfers, workers must show that their job duties were a substantial contributing cause of the injury.
How to document and report the injury
Report the injury to your supervisor as soon as it occurs. Delayed reporting can create complications with your claim. Contact the New Jersey Division of Workers’ Compensation to obtain the necessary forms if your employer does not provide them directly.
Medical records play a central role in these cases. Describe exactly how the transfer happened and which movements caused pain. Doctors need specific details to connect your shoulder condition to the work incident, and clear records protect your claim if questions arise later.
Act within the deadline
New Jersey workers’ compensation claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of injury or the date of the last payment of compensation. For occupational diseases that develop gradually, the two-year period typically runs from when you knew or should have known the condition was related to your work. Missing this deadline can bar your claim entirely.
Getting help with your claim
Shoulder injuries from patient transfers can qualify for benefits when properly documented and reported. Speaking with a New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your rights and avoid procedural mistakes that could affect your recovery.