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Milwaukee Shoulder Injury Lawyer

Legal Representation for Serious Shoulder Injuries in Milwaukee

Shoulder injuries can be painful, limiting, and slow to heal. Whether caused by a car accident, workplace injury, medical error, or unsafe property conditions, damage to the shoulder joint can disrupt your ability to work, sleep, lift, drive, or even perform basic daily activities.

  • 25+ years fighting insurance companies for injury victims
  • Downtown Milwaukee office at 790 N. Milwaukee Street, Suite 300
  • $0 out of pocket. You pay nothing unless we win your case
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Gil Flores profile picture
Gil Flores
2 years ago
★★★★★

It's been great working with Toby. He's an excellent attorney that helped immensely during this difficult and stressful period. I especially appreciate open honest dialogue which he always provides.

amelian henry profile picture
amelian henry
2 years ago
★★★★★

Great experience overall! Very communicative & informed me about everything every step of the way!

Stephen White profile picture
Stephen White
2 years ago
★★★★★

I was in a life-threatening car accident in April of 2023 caused by a drunk driver. I was given Toby Mulholland's information through my insurance agent, and contacting him was the BEST decision I could have possibly made. Let me just say, Toby was my advocate every step of the way - in the midst of such a traumatic accident, I had comfort knowing my Lawyer was doing everything in his power to right the wrongs of the person who nearly took my life. Everything about that experience was new to me - I had never been in an accident, dealt with insurance, filed a suit, given a deposition, etc. Toby was informative regarding all the legal processes which were taking place, and answered all questions I had - in essence: he was my biggest advocate other than myself. He is extremely organized, well spoken, and knows exactly what he is talking about. Without his help, I don't know how I would have gotten through such a turbulent time. If you find yourself in a similar position to me, where it feels like your world is collapsing, medical facilities trying to push you around, insurance companies calling you... Toby Mulholland is the person you need to shield you from the noise, the advocate you deserve, and the best Lawyer around. Thank you for everything you have done to help me in my most dire of times, Toby!

Ameenah Tate profile picture
Ameenah Tate
2 years ago
★★★★★

Thank You for being more than attorney and seeing My situation for more than a payout if You're looking for a Lawyer that's gonna use the law to get You what You deserve and not be bought out by big corporations make sure You give Toby a call

Dr. Zoff Alkinany profile picture
Dr. Zoff Alkinany
2 years ago
★★★★★

I have been dealing with this law firm & Mr. Toby for a while now & have brought some friends to them, everyone left satisfied, and the relationship became more than just a client but a friendship, he works with passion, explains all the steps to you & guides you to the best, five stars ⭐️

ana profile picture
ana
2 years ago
★★★★★

Very responsible and caring team. I recommend Mulholland law to anyone in search of a great attorney. Toby was great! he is so down to earth and easy to reach. He clarified any doubt I had and explained the whole process step by step. Thank you so much for all you've done for me and my family. I am forever grateful!

★★★★★ 5 out of 5 · Based on 22 Google reviews

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Expert Legal Representation by Toby P. Mulholland

Your Trusted Injury Lawyer

Attorney Toby P. Mulholland in a dark suit and purple tie

Since launching his law practice in 2000, Toby P. Mulholland has been a dedicated advocate for clients suffering serious injuries. He has extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death claims, construction accidents, premises liability, dog bite cases, and catastrophic injury litigation.

Toby’s distinguished career is marked by his skill in litigation, participating in numerous trials, mediations, arbitrations, and depositions. His innovative approaches to depositions have consistently resulted in successful outcomes for even the most complex cases. Clients appreciate his ability to navigate high-stakes situations with a creative, results-oriented approach.

Licensing and Professional Associations

  • Licensed to practice law in Illinois, Arizona, and Wisconsin
  • Member of the Arizona Association for Justice
  • Member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Get My Free Case Review → Call (414) 286-9299

Serious Shoulder Injuries Are Common in Milwaukee

At Mulholland Injury Law, we represent individuals across Milwaukee who have suffered serious shoulder injuries due to negligence.

If someone else’s actions caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment, lost income, and long-term impairment. Contact us today for a free consultation.

8,183

Thousands of Injury Crashes in Milwaukee County Each Year Motor vehicle collisions in Milwaukee County result in thousands of reported injuries annually. In 2022, 8,183 people were hurt in 5,846 injury crashes in the county. WisDOT 2022 Crash Facts

140,000+

Falls Are a Leading Cause of Emergency Calls in Wisconsin Falls were the top injury Wisconsin EMS crews responded to in 2024, with more than 140,000 calls, about 21% of all 911 ambulance runs. Falls frequently cause shoulder fractures and rotator cuff tears. Wisconsin DHS, 2025

26 days

Shoulder Injuries Keep Workers Off the Job for Weeks Upper extremities were the body part most often injured in U.S. workplace cases that caused missed work in 2023 and 2024, and shoulder cases kept workers away a median of 26 days, longer than knee or leg injuries. National Safety Council, using BLS data

2 million

Upper Extremity Injuries Can Require Surgery Almost 2 million people in the U.S. see a doctor for rotator cuff tears each year. Serious tears, especially those caused by a sudden injury, can require surgical repair and months of rehabilitation. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Why Shoulder Injuries Should Not Be Underestimated?

The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the body. It relies on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage working together for stability and mobility. Even seemingly “minor” injuries can develop into chronic conditions if not properly treated.

Many shoulder injuries require months of rehabilitation, and some result in permanent loss of range of motion or strength. Insurance companies often minimize these injuries, but their impact on daily life can be substantial.

Types of Shoulder Injury Cases We Handle

1. Frozen Shoulder Injury Lawyer (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen shoulders cause severe stiffness, pain, and progressive restriction of movement. It often develops after trauma, surgery, or prolonged immobilization following an accident.

Common accident-related causes include car crashes, slip and falls, fractures requiring shoulder immobilization, and untreated rotator cuff injuries. Recovery can take months or even years, and some individuals never regain full mobility.

If your frozen shoulder developed after an accident caused by negligence, we can help evaluate your claim.

2. Shoulder Bursitis Injury Lawyer

Shoulder bursitis occurs when the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the joint become inflamed. Trauma from falls, repetitive overhead movement, or blunt-force impact can trigger this condition.

Symptoms may include swelling, pain during movement, tenderness, and limited motion. While some cases resolve with treatment, others become chronic and interfere with work or daily activities.

When bursitis develops after an accident or unsafe conditions, the responsible party may be liable for resulting damages.

3. SIRVA Lawyer (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration)

SIRVA is a specific type of shoulder injury caused by improper vaccine injection technique. When a vaccine is administered too high or too deep into the shoulder joint rather than the deltoid muscle, it can lead to inflammation, bursitis, frozen shoulder, or rotator cuff damage.

Unlike trauma-based injuries, SIRVA cases often involve medical negligence. These claims may proceed through specialized compensation systems depending on the circumstances.

If you experienced severe shoulder pain and limited mobility shortly after vaccination, you may have legal options.

How SIRVA claims are filed

Where the claim goes
SIRVA has been on the federal Vaccine Injury Table since 2017. Claims for vaccines covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, such as flu shots, are filed in that program, and you generally must go through it before suing the vaccine maker or the person who gave the shot.
Deadline
A petition generally must be filed within 3 years of the first symptom of the injury.
Legal fees
The program pays reasonable attorney fees and costs separately from any award when the claim was filed in good faith and on a reasonable basis.
COVID-19 vaccines
Injuries from COVID-19 vaccines are handled by a different federal program, the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program, which has a 1-year deadline from the date the vaccine was given.

Sources: HRSA vaccine compensation FAQ HRSA: CICP compared with VICP 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-16

4. Other Shoulder Injuries We Represent

In addition to frozen shoulder, bursitis, and SIRVA, we also handle:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Shoulder dislocations
  • Labral tears
  • Fractures of the clavicle or humerus
  • Nerve damage affecting the shoulder
  • Chronic post-traumatic shoulder pain

Every shoulder injury is different, and proper medical evaluation is critical to understanding long-term impact.

Common Causes of Shoulder Injuries in Milwaukee

  • Motor Vehicle Collisions

    Impact injuries from car, truck, or motorcycle crashes.

  • Slip and Fall Accidents

    Sudden falls causing shoulder trauma or joint damage.

  • Workplace & Construction Injuries

    Lifting accidents, falls, or equipment-related incidents.

  • Falling Objects

    Overhead hazards striking the shoulder or upper body.

  • Defective Equipment

    Unsafe tools or machinery leading to joint injuries.

  • Medical Errors

    Improper treatment or surgical mistakes affecting the shoulder.

  • Sports & Recreational Accidents

    High-impact activities causing tears or dislocations.

  • Repetitive Strain Injuries

    Ongoing overuse in physical jobs or athletic settings.

Shoulder Injuries From Falls on Milwaukee Ice and Snow

A fall on an icy sidewalk or parking lot can tear a rotator cuff or break a shoulder bone. Who is responsible depends on where you fell.

Overturned stroller frame lying in fresh snow

  1. Public sidewalks in the City of Milwaukee

    Property owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk next to their property within 24 hours after a snowfall ends. You can report an unshoveled sidewalk to the city at (414) 286-CITY.

    City of Milwaukee rule, as reported by FOX6

  2. Claims against the city or county

    Wisconsin law generally bars injury claims against a city, village, town or county for natural snow or ice on a street or sidewalk unless the accumulation had existed for 3 weeks. Ice created by something artificial, such as poor drainage, can be treated differently.

    Wis. Stat. § 893.83

  3. Stores, workplaces and public buildings

    Wisconsin’s safe-place statute requires employers and owners of public buildings to keep their premises as safe as the nature of the place reasonably permits, a higher duty than ordinary care. It covers unsafe conditions the owner knew or should have known about.

    Wis. Stat. § 101.11, Megal (2004 WI 98)

Hurt Your Shoulder at Work in Milwaukee?

Most on-the-job shoulder injuries are handled through Wisconsin worker’s compensation, but the rules work differently from an injury claim. These are the points that matter most for a shoulder injury.

  1. Tell your employer within 30 days

    Wisconsin requires notice to the employer within 30 days of the injury, or within 30 days of when you knew or should have known the condition was work-related. Late notice does not always defeat the claim if the employer was not misled. Wis. Stat. § 102.12

  2. Worker’s comp is usually the only claim against the employer

    Worker’s compensation is generally your exclusive remedy against your employer and co-workers, so you usually cannot sue the employer itself.

  3. Other responsible parties can still be sued

    If someone outside your employer caused the injury, such as a negligent driver, a property owner or the maker of defective equipment, you may have a separate injury claim against them in addition to worker’s comp.

Wisconsin minimum disability ratings for the shoulder

Permanent shoulder damage is rated as a percentage of “loss of use at the shoulder.” Wisconsin sets minimum ratings for common outcomes:

OutcomeMinimum rating
Raising the arm limited to 135°5%
Raising the arm limited to 90°20%
Raising the arm limited to 45°30%
Shoulder replacement of any type50%

These are minimums that assume a good result. Pain, weakness and other limits can support a higher rating. Wis. Admin. Code DWD 80.32, per DWD training materials

Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Shoulder Injury?

Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include negligent drivers, property owners, employers, contractors, product manufacturers, or healthcare providers.

Our legal team conducts a detailed investigation to determine liability and pursue compensation from all available sources.

  • Negligent drivers
  • Property owners
  • Employers
  • Contractors
  • Product manufacturers
  • Healthcare providers

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Compensation Available for Shoulder Injury Victims

Serious shoulder injuries often require ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. Victims may be entitled to compensation for:

In cases involving long-term mobility limitations, compensation must reflect future medical needs and lifestyle impact.

  • Medical expenses
  • Physical therapy
  • Surgery and rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent impairment

How Mulholland Injury Law Supports Milwaukee Clients?

  1. Review medical records
  2. Consult orthopedic experts
  3. Negotiate with insurers
  4. Prepare for trial when necessary

Shoulder injury claims require strong medical documentation and strategic legal handling. We review medical records, consult orthopedic experts, negotiate with insurers, and prepare cases for trial when necessary.

Our focus is securing compensation that truly reflects the physical and financial toll of your injury.

Milwaukee Shoulder Injury FAQs

How long do I have to file a shoulder injury claim in Wisconsin?

Most personal injury lawsuits in Wisconsin must be filed within 3 years under Wis. Stat. § 893.54. Shorter deadlines can apply, such as a written notice of claim within 120 days when a government body may be responsible, or the 3-year federal deadline for SIRVA claims, which runs from the first symptom.

Can I make a claim if I hurt my shoulder slipping on an unshoveled Milwaukee sidewalk?

It depends on where and why you fell. The City of Milwaukee requires property owners and occupants to clear abutting sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall, but claims against the city for natural snow and ice are generally barred unless the accumulation existed for 3 weeks. Falls at stores, workplaces and public buildings fall under Wisconsin’s safe-place statute. Photos of the ice and the date and time of the fall are important evidence.

Can I sue my employer for a shoulder injury at work?

Usually not. Wisconsin worker’s compensation is generally the exclusive remedy against your employer. But if someone else contributed to the injury, such as a negligent driver, a property owner or an equipment manufacturer, you may have a separate injury claim against that party.

What is SIRVA and where is the claim filed?

SIRVA stands for shoulder injury related to vaccine administration, usually caused by a shot given too high or too deep in the shoulder. For vaccines covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, such as flu shots, the claim goes through that federal program and generally must be filed within 3 years of the first symptom. COVID-19 vaccine injuries go through a separate program with a 1-year deadline.

Do I need surgery to have a shoulder injury claim?

No. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, nonsurgical treatment relieves pain and improves function in about 80 to 85% of rotator cuff tear patients. A claim is based on the injury and its effect on your life, and physical therapy, injections and lost time from work can all be part of the damages.

What if I was partly at fault for my fall or crash?

Under Wisconsin’s comparative negligence law, Wis. Stat. § 895.045, you can still recover if your negligence was not greater than the negligence of the party you are seeking damages from. Your award is reduced by your share of the fault.

Summarized from the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code, HRSA, WisDOT, Wisconsin DHS, the National Safety Council, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and City of Milwaukee guidance as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions, so talk to a lawyer about your situation.

Free Consultation With a Milwaukee Shoulder Injury Attorney

If you are suffering from frozen shoulder, bursitis, SIRVA, or another shoulder injury caused by negligence, you do not have to navigate the legal process alone.

Mulholland Injury Law offers free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today to protect your rights and begin your path toward recovery.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Milwaukee Today

At Mulholland Injury Law, we are committed to providing aggressive legal representation for victims of personal injury accidents.

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Mulholland Injury Law, Milwaukee Office 790 N Milwaukee St, Ste. 300, Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 286-9299 info@mulhollandinjurylaw.com Open in Google Maps
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