That nagging ache in your shoulder, elbow, or knee, initially dismissed as age or a minor strain, has escalated. Over months, it's become a constant, sharp reminder of your job's physical toll. Now, diagnosed as bursitis, a key question arises: Is this painful condition a work injury eligible for workers' compensation in Pennsylvania? The answer is often yes. While many people associate workers’ comp with sudden accidents like falls or machine injuries, Pennsylvania law also recognizes injuries that develop over time from repetitive stress and strain.

Pennsylvania's private industry reported over 115,200 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these aren't from single accidents but stem from the cumulative stress that leads to debilitating conditions like a bursitis work injury. Proving that your bursitis is work-related presents unique challenges, but it is a valid basis for a claim.

This article explains how bursitis develops from workplace activities, how it is covered under the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, and what steps you should take to protect your right to benefits.

Recognition of Bursitis as an Occupational Injury in PA

Before diving into the legal process, it is helpful to understand the medical nature of bursitis and how it connects to your job.

What Exactly Is Bursitis?

Throughout your body, near major joints like the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, are small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae. Think of them as tiny, self-lubricating cushions that sit between bones and soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and skin. Their job is to reduce friction and allow for smooth, painless movement.

Bursitis is the inflammation or irritation of one or more of these bursae. When a bursa becomes inflamed, it can swell with excess fluid, causing significant pain and restricting movement in the affected joint. Common symptoms include:

• A dull, aching, or sharp pain, especially with movement or pressure.
• Swelling and redness over the joint.
• Stiffness or a limited range of motion.
• Tenderness to the touch.

Connecting Your Job to a Bursitis Work Injury

Bursitis is frequently caused by repetitive pressure, friction, or overuse of a joint—activities that are central to many occupations in Pennsylvania. It is not the result of a single event but rather the cumulative effect of performing the same motions day after day.

Certain jobs carry a much higher risk of developing bursitis due to their inherent physical demands. Examples include:

• Construction and Trades: Carpenters, roofers, plumbers, and flooring installers who spend long hours kneeling, leaning on their elbows, or making overhead movements are at high risk for knee and elbow bursitis.
• Landscaping and Masonry: The constant kneeling, digging, and lifting can easily lead to bursitis in the knees and shoulders.
• Mechanics and Assembly Line Workers: Reaching, lifting, and performing repetitive tasks in awkward positions can inflame the bursae in the shoulders and elbows.
• Painters and Drywall Installers: The overhead arm movements required for these jobs are a leading cause of shoulder bursitis (subacromial bursitis).
• Office Workers and Data Entry Clerks: While less obvious, prolonged leaning on elbows at a desk can cause olecranon bursitis, sometimes called "student's elbow."
• Warehouse and Factory Workers: Regularly lifting, carrying, and stocking items can put immense strain on shoulder and hip joints.

In these professions, the link between the job duties and the development of bursitis is often clear. The condition is not a random ailment but a direct consequence of the physical stress required to earn a living.

Qualifying for Workers’ Comp for Bursitis in Pennsylvania

Under the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, an injury is covered if it arises in the course of employment and is related thereto. This legal standard applies to both sudden, traumatic accidents and injuries that develop over a longer period. For a bursitis claim, you must prove that your work activities were a substantial contributing factor to the condition.

Proving a Repetitive Trauma Injury

Most bursitis claims fall under the category of "repetitive trauma" or "cumulative trauma" injuries. Unlike a broken arm from a fall, these injuries do not happen at a specific, identifiable moment. Instead, they are the result of micro-traumas that accumulate over time.

To successfully file for workers’ comp for bursitis, you must establish a direct causal link between your job duties and your medical diagnosis. This is the most contested part of these claims. The insurance company will often argue that your bursitis is due to other factors, such as

• A pre-existing condition like arthritis.
• Your age or natural degeneration.
• A hobby or activity you do outside of work.
• A previous, non-work-related injury.

Because of this, strong medical evidence is the foundation of your claim. Your doctor’s opinion is paramount. You will need a medical report that clearly states your bursitis diagnosis and, more importantly, provides a professional opinion that your specific work duties were the primary cause of the inflammation. Your doctor should be able to detail how the repetitive motions, pressure, or overuse at your job led directly to your condition.

The Importance of Timely Notice

For a typical work injury, an employee has 120 days from the date of the incident to notify their employer. But what is the "date of injury" for a condition like bursitis that develops slowly?

Pennsylvania law recognizes this difficulty and applies a "discovery rule." For repetitive trauma injuries, the clock for giving notice does not start ticking until the day you knew or should have known that you sustained an injury and that your injury was work-related.

This is often the date a doctor officially diagnoses you with bursitis and tells you it was caused by your job. From that point, you must notify your employer as soon as possible, and absolutely within 120 days, to preserve your right to benefits. Failing to provide timely notice is one of the most common reasons repetitive injury claims are denied.

What Benefits Are Available Through Workers’ Compensation in PA?

If your workers’ compensation for bursitis claim is approved, you are entitled to specific benefits designed to cover your medical costs and compensate for lost income.

Medical Benefits

Your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance must cover all medical treatment that is reasonable and necessary to treat your work-related bursitis. This includes:

• Doctor and specialist visits.
• Prescription medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Cortisone injections.
• Diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds.
• In severe cases, surgical procedures like a bursectomy (removal of the bursa sac).

These benefits should be provided with no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Wage-Loss Benefits

If your bursitis is severe enough to prevent you from working, or if your doctor places you on work restrictions that your employer cannot accommodate, you are eligible for wage-loss benefits. These are calculated as a percentage of your average weekly wage.

• Total Disability Benefits (TTD): Paid when you are completely unable to work due to your injury.
• Partial Disability Benefits (TPD): Paid if you can return to work in a limited or lower-paying capacity due to your bursitis. These benefits make up for a portion of the difference in your earnings.

Why a Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Attorney Is Essential for Your Bursitis Claim

Navigating a workers' comp claim for a repetitive use injury like bursitis is significantly more complex than for a clear-cut accident. Insurance companies are businesses, and they frequently look for reasons to deny claims that are not tied to a single, obvious event. They may question the cause of your bursitis, dispute the date of your injury, or challenge the necessity of your medical treatment.

A skilled workers’ compensation attorney understands these tactics and knows how to build a case that can withstand scrutiny. Here is how a lawyer can make a decisive difference:

• Gathering Compelling Evidence: A workers' compensation lawyer will work with you and your doctors to obtain the detailed medical documentation needed to prove your bursitis is work-related. They may also gather testimony from you and your coworkers about your job duties to paint a clear picture of the physical strain involved.
• Ensuring Proper Notice and Filings: Your attorney will handle all legal deadlines and paperwork, ensuring you provide proper notice to your employer and file your claim petition correctly with the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
• Fighting Claim Denials: If your claim is denied, your workers' comp lawyer will represent you in the litigation process. They will take depositions, present evidence before a Workers' Compensation Judge, and advocate on your behalf to get you the benefits you deserve.
• Negotiating a Fair Settlement: In many cases, claims are resolved through a lump-sum settlement known as a Compromise and Release. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to maximize this amount, ensuring it fairly accounts for your future medical needs and lost earning potential.

Without experienced legal representation, you are at a significant disadvantage when facing an insurance company and its team of lawyers.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is One Phone Call Away

If you are suffering from bursitis and believe your job is to blame, do not assume you have to bear the financial and physical burden alone. The Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation system was created to protect employees just like you. However, securing the benefits you are owed for a repetitive stress injury requires a proactive and strategic approach.

At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, our team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured workers across Pennsylvania. We understand the complexities of bursitis claims and know how to build a powerful case that connects your diagnosis to your job duties. We will handle the insurance company and the legal system so you can focus on what matters most: your health and recovery.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Let us help you get the justice and the benefits you rightfully deserve.