The shoulder is susceptible to different types of injuries. Workers who must use their upper bodies on the job can hurt their shoulders through repetitive movement or in a one-time accident. Years of strain can cause shoulders to wear out. Can a person file a workers’ comp claim if the shoulder injury needs medical care – even replacement – as the result of a pre-existing condition or wear and tear over time? The answer is that you can file a workers’ comp claim and approval is a possibility. Workers compensation insurers often deny shoulder injury claims, especially if you had a previous injury or another issue with your shoulder. The truth is that you can file the claim, but you may need to go further with the legal process to have a good chance of being successful. You may have injured your shoulder years ago and repetitive motion or an accident on the job aggravated the injury.  An aggravation or acceleration of that older injury can be the basis for a work comp claim. If you have arthritis and lifting or repetitive tasks made the issue worse, you may still have a valid claim. With the help of a Mankato workers’ comp attorney, you can increase the odds of a successful claim.