So, you're stacking heavy inventory boxes at the Amazon warehouse in West Jefferson when you feel a sudden pop and searing pain shooting through your arm. Within hours, bruising appears, and even the simplest movements are agonizing. Your doctor confirms what you feared—a bicep tear injury requires surgery and months of rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, here’s what happened to our friend and client, Josh: While at UPS, he suffered a workplace lifting injury that tore his bicep and subscapularis tendons and cartilage around his shoulder joint. But his workers’ comp classification first only allowed for a strain, and physical therapy and other treatments didn’t help. Only 18 months later—after several hearings and several more conditions—did he get approval for much-needed surgery.
If you’re struggling with a similar situation, an experienced workers' compensation lawyer can help ensure your injury is properly classified and your rights are protected. For more than 30 years, Jim Monast and the dedicated team at Monast Law Office have helped injured Columbus employees understand what they need to know about Ohio workers’ compensation, especially when proving a torn bicep injury deserves thorough care and fair compensation to support recovery and moving forward.
Why the Ohio BWC Might Misclassify Your Injury
The biceps brachii is located in the front of the upper arm and attached to the shoulder and elbow by tendons. When someone “tears” their bicep, this is actually a disconnection of the tendon from the muscle or bone. Bicep tendon tears are either:
- Partial, which damages the soft tissue but doesn’t completely sever the tendon.
- Complete, a total detachment of the tendon from its connecting point at the bone.
If fully torn, the bicep tendon won’t grow back to the bone and heal.
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) often categorizes bicep tears as minor muscle strains rather than the complicated injuries they truly are. This misclassification happens for several reasons.
- Lack of specific diagnostic testing. Without an MRI or ultrasound confirming the full tear, the BWC might assume you're dealing with a temporary strain rather than a structural injury requiring surgical intervention.
- An attempt to minimize costs. A bicep strain or partial tear typically requires rest and limited physical therapy, while complete tears require surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and a longer recovery time.
- A question about compounded injuries. Some bicep tears develop gradually from repetitive workplace activities rather than from a single dramatic incident. The BWC may question whether your injury truly occurred at work or resulted from cumulative strain.
Estimated Recovery Time for Torn Bicep Injuries
How long you’ll need rehabilitation and when—or how—you return to work depends on the severity of your condition:
- Partial tear: Recovery typically takes 6–10 weeks with a conservative treatment approach that includes rest and physical therapy.
- Complete tear: Full recovery can take 3–6 months, depending on your progress after surgery and the demands of your job.
Your healthcare provider may greenlight a gradual return based on the nature of your job. For example:
- Desk jobs or light duty work: You may be able to return within 1–3 weeks for partial tears or after 4–6 weeks post-surgery, provided your injured arm isn’t used.
- Manual labor or physically demanding jobs: These usually require a complete recovery from surgery, so you’ll likely not get clearance until your maximum medical improvement is evaluated after 3–6 months. And even then, it’s possible you may still need light or modified duty, depending on how the injury healed.
Proving Your Bicep Tear Is Work-Related
Establishing the connection between your bicep tear injury and your job duties is crucial for a successful workers' compensation claim in Ohio. We can’t stress enough the importance of reporting your injury right away. Immediate reporting creates an official record.
So, as soon as you experience arm pain, tell your supervisor in writing, specifically describing exactly what you were doing when the injury occurred, the weight you were lifting, your body position, and so on. Detail your work history to help establish causation, such as job requirements and how often you lift, push, or pull heavy objects.
A comprehensive medical evaluation with thorough diagnostic testing is crucial. Your doctor should document specific findings that differentiate a tear from a strain, including but not limited to:
- Weakness
- Constant pain
- Muscle deformity
- Range-of-motion limitations
Here’s another critical point: missing appointments or ignoring medical advice gives the BWC reason to question the severity of your injury or your commitment to recovery. So follow your treatment plan to the letter and track all medical expenses.
Finally, witness statements add credibility to your claim. These firsthand accounts are particularly valuable if there's any question about whether the injury happened in the workplace.
How Our Columbus Workers’ Comp Lawyer Helps With Your Bicep Tear Injury Claim
Many workers’ comp claims move forward without a hitch and can be handled by the employee. However, if the BWC or your employer doesn't believe your condition is a job-related injury, or that you have a more serious medical condition than simply a strain, you've come to the right place.
If your initial claim is denied or your torn bicep is misclassified as a strain when it’s obviously something more, we’ll guide you through the appeals process, gathering additional medical documentation and expert testimony to support your case. Our team also handles all communication with BWC representatives, claims adjusters, and your employer, letting you focus on your physical recovery.
