Workers’ Compensation for Knee Injuries

The injury law firm of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman is here to help you obtain workers’ compensation benefits when you have been hurt on the job. We fight for injured workers throughout Delaware, including in Wilmington, Newark and Seaford. Contact us today for more information.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that knee injuries account for 15 to 20 percent of lost work time, with an average of about 16 missed days per injured worker. The knee is one of the most important joints in our body. It lets us stand, sit, jump, run, and squat. Even the most minor injury can make day-to-day life difficult and painful, putting us out of commission for days or weeks. And if that injury happens on the job, it can cost us valuable time and money. Pursuing a workers’ compensation claim can help recover lost wages and damages.

Knee injuries at work

Accidents at work—like slips, trips, and falls—can result in knee injuries that range from minor to debilitating. Small injuries like bruises or abrasions heal quickly and usually don’t interfere with work or cause long-lasting issues. However, more intense falls and impacts can cause serious damage to ligaments, tendons, or even the bones around the knee and cause an employee to need more time off work to heal.

Knee damage can be caused by an acute injury, like a fall or sudden twist. However, it can also be caused by standing for long hours, or repetitive motions that cause wear and tear on the knee joints. Chronic knee pain can develop after years of walking on hard, concrete floors, or years of repeated squatting and bending. These kinds of injuries will often force employees to miss work for rest, treatment, or surgery.

Workers’ comp and knee injuries

If you have an accident at work that affects one or both knees, you should report it immediately and seek medical attention. You might want to just ice or wrap your knee and go right back to work, but it’s important to rest your knee to prevent further damage. Knee injuries are tricky and it’s important to document the accident in the event you want to file for workers’ compensation.

After you do report the injury and see a doctor, talk to an experienced workers’ comp attorney for assistance. These types of claims require a good deal of documentation, medical records, and testimony, and it’s crucial you don’t jeopardize your claim and benefits by missing deadlines or forgetting any paperwork.

Preventing knee injuries at work

Employers can help their workers avoid injuries—and knee injuries specifically—by taking a few precautions:

• Designing workspaces that allow workers to sit instead of kneeling
• Providing knee support or padding for workers who frequently bend or squat
• Storing supplies up higher to eliminate excess bending or kneeling to access them
• Providing training on proper knee and stretching exercises

Employees particularly vulnerable to knee injuries include construction workers, factory workers, and other laborers, because their jobs are more physical than most. And if an injury requires surgery or rehab, it could take weeks or months to recover and come back to work. The loss of income could mean a huge financial hit to an individual or family. This is where workers’ compensation comes in.

Our knowledgeable Delaware workplace injury lawyers at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman are prepared to help you with your workers’ compensation claim. Our legal team serves clients in the Newark, Seaford, or Wilmington areas. Call 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form today.