Jan 3, 2018
Common Types of On-the-Job Knee Injuries
Nate Hansford
If your knee becomes injured in an accident or wears down from overuse, it can lead to severe pain and long-term medical conditions. There are several common types of knee injuries that affect workers in a variety of professions.
Knee injuries include:
- Sprains and strains
- Kneecap fractures
- ACL, PCL, or MCL tears
- Meniscus tears
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Tibia or fibula fractures
- Dislocations
The knee is the largest joint in the human body. Healthy knees allow you to stand, walk, run, and even sit and lay down. Overuse and repetitive stress knee injuries develop over time. Plumbers, auto mechanics, construction workers, carpenters, cleaners, and others who must kneel or carry a lot of weight on a regular basis are at risk for developing repetitive stress knee injuries.
If you have aching, stiffness, grinding, or sharp pain in your knees, it is important to inform your employer right away and seek medical treatment. Furthermore, if your knee was injured in an on-the-job accident, such as a slip and fall, you should inform your employer and see a doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment for knee injuries may include ice and heat, physical therapy, steroid injections, medication, surgery, and sometimes total knee replacement. A worker may need to wear a brace or cast for weeks or months while the joint heals. Severe knee injuries may not heal for many months, and some may result in permanent impairment to the joint.
How to Avoid an On-the-Job Knee Injury
As an employee, there are several things you can do to decrease your risk of a work-related knee injury. For starters, always be aware of your surroundings and watch your step. Slipping, tripping, and falling over loose flooring or an exposed power cord at work could cause you to injure your knee. Thus, you should pay attention to where you are walking and exercise caution.
Furthermore, you should get up and stretch out your legs periodically. Sitting or kneeling in one position for an extended length of time could cause your knee to become inflamed. By doing regular stretches and switching positions often, you can help your knee joint stay supple and strong.
Pursue Workers’ Compensation for Knee Injuries
Workers’ compensation benefits are available to employees who have suffered knee injuries at work. In order to receive workers’ compensation, you will need to prove that your trauma resulted from on-the-job activities. You can use evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and pictures or other documentation. For example, if you fell at work and injured your knee, you will need to inform your employer immediately and seek medical treatment.
On the other hand, if you suffer a gradual repetitive stress injury, you will need to show that it was caused by your work duties. You may be entitled to compensation for past, present, and expected future medical bills, lost wages, and disability. However, you will be unable to receive compensation for pain and suffering or other noneconomic damages in a workers’ compensation claim.
Call Our Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today at 770-922-3660
With more than 20 years of experience, Hansford McDaniel – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys provides efficient legal services to injured clients. Whether your knee injury occurred in a sudden workplace incident or through gradual wear and tear, we can help you file a workers’ compensation claim. Our team of Atlanta knee injury lawyers will work hard to protect your rights as you seek a fair settlement.
For a free case evaluation, contact our office today. We provide services in Spanish, Bosnian, and Croatian for your convenience.
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