Workers’ Compensation for Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are common across industries. They are not just limited to manual laborers or blue collar workers. Such injuries can practically affect workers in any line of work.

Although workers working at heights, carrying heavy objects or operating heavy duty machineries are at a higher risk to knee injuries, even those in closed work spaces can also experience knee injuries. For example:

An administrative assistant can accidentally trip over a wire and twist their knee or an office worker can slip and fall from the stairs or a nurse may attempt to save a falling patient and damage their own patellar tendon.

Simply stated, work related knee injuries are common, and can occur anywhere at any time. However, it is important to understand that knee injuries may only be considered work related as long as the worker is advancing or furthering your employee’s interests at the time they get hurt. This is important because then only you can claim for a worker’s compensation knee injury settlement. Continue reading to learn more…

Common Types of Work Related Knee Injuries

Some of the most common types of knee injuries are:

Dislocated Kneecap

This injury mostly occurs when the knee joint takes a high impact hit. It is a serious injury that has the potential to damage all the components of the victim’s knee. Furthermore, it can also damage the blood vessels. Dislocated kneecap may require immediate surgery and take at least 6 or more weeks to heal.

Knee Sprain

Knee sprain is injury to the ligaments that tend to hold together the knee. It occurs when the ligament of the knee becomes torn or stretched. Depending on the knee sprain severity, it can be very painful and the knee can be unusable too.

Knee Fracture

A knee fracture can occur when the worker falls onto the knee directly or the knee bone gets a serious blow.

Bone Contusion

In this condition a bruise is created and fluid accumulates on top of the bone. It leads to swelling and loss of mobility.

Meniscal Cartilage Injury

The meniscal cartilage basically serves as padding to the knee area. The cartilage can become badly damaged if it is overused. Injury to this area can cause immense pain, loss of balance and even lead to mobility issues.

Knee Bursitis

Knee bursitis is the inflammation of a small fluid filled sac that is situated near the knee joint. The function of bursae is to lower friction and cushion pressure points between the tendons, muscles and bones near the joint. However, if the bursa becomes inflamed you may start experiencing pain and difficulty in movement. It most occurs over the kneecap.

Symptoms of a Knee Injury

Knee injuries can be identified by the following symptoms:

• Stabbing pain
• Burning sensation in the knee
• Popping and throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Limited mobility/movement
• Tearing sensation

The symptoms are variable as the location of the injury may be different. In some cases the back of the knee may be hurt while in other situations the damage may occur on the inside or in the front. Regardless of the symptoms or severity of pain, it is important that you take quick and appropriate actions when it comes to reporting your knee injury to your employer and choosing a workers’ compensation lawyer in PA to file your claim. Remember your actions can make all the difference. Delay in taking action can make you lose your right of getting compensated or you may have to settle for less. As per the law, you have 120 days to report your knee injury to your employer.

What Happens After You Report Your Injury?

As soon as you incur a work related knee injury, it is important that you report about it to your manager or supervisor right away. However, after reporting your injury, there is a strong likelihood that the insurance carrier may downplay your injury and describe it as not serious. Therefore, it is also crucial that you get a consultation from an orthopedic surgeon beforehand so that you know the extent of your injury.

Also, after reporting your injury, the employer may refer you to a panel of doctors. According to PA workers compensation law, there should be at least 6 or 9 doctors in different specialties on the panel. In addition to this, the employer may also ask you to sign an acknowledgement form at the time or after the injury. However, if the employer fails to complete either of the task, you can treat seek treatment from the doctor of your choice.

If the work related injury is accepted then the workers’ compensation insurance carrier shall pay for your medical bills. And there is no copay in this. Also, if you’re unable to return to work or work at all you shall be entitled to wage loss benefits by law.

Hire Legal Assistance

In the event of a work related knee injury, it is advisable to seek legal assistance from a qualified and experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in PA who can provide you with quality and step by step guidance.Besides this, a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you manage the medical care of your case and get you compensated fairly especially when the insurance carrier tries to downplay your injuries. A experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you seek the benefits that you rightfully deserve.

For more information or for a free case evaluation contact our workers’ compensation lawyer in PA today. We have helped hundreds of workers with knee injuries get the benefits that they deserve; we are here to help you too.