Under Virginia law, if your shoulder was injured in a sudden, identifiable accident in the course and scope of your work, and your employer has the necessary number of employees, then you may seek coverage under the Workers Compensation Act. If, on the other hand, the injury is due to days and weeks of cumulative lifting or "repetitive trauma," then it may not fit the requirement of a "sudden accidental injury," and you may have to seek payment of your medical bills through your health insurance. It is unclear if by the term "Workers Compensation" you mean the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, whose judges hear these cases and then rule for or against the injured employee, or you simply mean the insurance company for your employer. Calling an experienced workplace injury lawyer who actually tries and wins cases at the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission, and who you can actually watch doing so, is probably your smartest move. I hope that your shoulder is healing and that you are getting good medical care while you are performing light duty at the warehouse.
Answered on Aug 26th, 2013 at 11:40 AM