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WORKERS COMP KNEE INJURY AND SETTLEMENT

A sudden slip, fall, or twist at work can result in a life-altering injury to the knee. Knee injuries can also occur from years of climbing stairs and ladders. The settlement of these cases can be complicated by the assessment of long-term functional loss associated with knee trauma.

Knee injuries are a common and at times debilitating workplace accident. NJ Workers Comp covers these injuries when suffered on the job. Knee injuries are more common in certain industries. Those industries need more physically demanding labor from the worker. Such industries such as construction, manufacturing, truck driving, and health care professionals would make the list of high-risk jobs.

It is common for workers to think the injury is minor and try to work through the pain. But, injuries to the knee are oftentimes more severe and require long-term pain management. Effects on mobility and the ability of manual laborers to earn a living can result.

Common Types of Knee and Leg Injuries in Workers Compensation

Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament

While a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is common in athletes, such as running backs, it can also happen to workers who perform manual labor. And also to those who experience a sudden slip and fall.

The ACL is one of the four major ligaments of the knee and is critical to knee stability. The ACL prevents excessive motion of the knee joint. Injuries to the ACL can occur if the knee joint bends backward, twisted, or bent side to side too far. The most common cause of ACL rupture is a traumatic force applied to the knee in a twisting moment.

Symptoms of an ACL tear include:

feeling or noise of a “pop” in the knee at the time of injury

pain on the outside and back of the knee

swollen knee

limited movement of the knee

feeling that the knee is unstable, buckling, or “giving out.”

Treatment for ACL tears can involve non-surgical and surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment involves physical therapy. The goal is to rehabilitate the knee to a condition close to the pre-tear state. But, many people who opt for this treatment may experience a second injury to the knee. This is due to further incidents of repetitive instability.

Surgical treatment involves the replacement of the torn ACL with a substitute graft made of tendon. The tendon is usually from another part of your body, such as the quadriceps or hamstring tendons. Surgery seeks to prevent instability and restore the function of the torn ligament, thereby creating a stable knee. Surgery will often allow the patient to return to their normal activities.

Torn Meniscus

Each of your knees has two menisci, the medial and lateral menisci. These are two large C-shaped cartilages that sit on the top of the tibia and act like a cushion between the shinbone (fibula) and thighbone (femur). A meniscus tear can occur when there is forceful twisting or hyper-flexing of the knee joint.

Symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling, stiffness and a feeling like the knee will “give way” and collapse. Non-surgical treatment includes rest, ice, medication and physical therapy.

More serious tears will need surgery. A meniscectomy is a procedure to remove the torn part of the meniscus and is more commonly performed than a meniscus repair. A meniscus repair involves surgery to repair the meniscus, but the healing process is much longer and is not always possible. Arthroscopic surgery can fixed some tears. Arthroscopic surgery uses a tiny camera called an arthroscope. This tool examines and repairs the tissues inside or around your knee. The insertion of the arthroscope is through a small incision in your skin near the knee.

Fractures

Fractures to the leg can be the result of workplace responsibilities such as heavy lifting. Fractures can also occur as the result of a fall or crush injury. There are many types of fractures, but the main types include displaced, non-displaced, open, and closed fractures.

Displaced and non-displaced fractures refer to the way the bone breaks. In a displaced fracture, the bone snaps into two or more parts. And moves so that the bone is no longer properly aligned. In a non-displaced fracture, the bone cracks either part or all of the way through, but does move and remains aligned.

A closed fracture is when the bone breaks but there is no puncture or open wound in the skin. An open fracture is one in which the bone breaks through the skin. This is an important difference from a closed fracture because with an open fracture there is a risk of a deep bone infection.

An On The Job Knee Injury is Covered Under Workmans Comp NJ

A knowledgeable and dedicated attorney can make all the difference in the world in getting the maximum benefits available under the law. Knee injuries are serious. The adequacy of your benefits is key to your recovery. Full recovery is the goal. The benefits of workers compensation help you get there. Last but not least, our contact number is (856) 596-8000.

(856) 596-8000