If you have suffered a knee injury, you may be unable to do your job or engage in any other kind of work. However, medical benefits and lost-wage benefits may be available to you through Florida’s workers’ compensation system.
Contact Frank M. Eidson, P.A., today.
A lawyer from our firm can examine your case in a free consultation and determine the options available to you. We are available to serve clients throughout Orlando and surrounding areas in Florida.
What Are Knee Injuries?
The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is also one of the most easily injured body parts.
In addition to several bones, the knee contains large ligaments. This soft tissue connects bones and braces the knee joint.
The knee also contains the meniscus. This is a wedge of soft cartilage between the femur and tibia (upper and lower leg bones). It cushions the knee and should help it to absorb shock during motion.
Common knee injuries include:
- Meniscus tears and ligament tears – A direct blow, abnormal twisting or bending or a fall can cause sudden injury to the knee. Tears to the meniscus as well as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL) often occur among workers.
- Bursitis – This is a painful inflammation of the small, fluid-filled pads that cushion bones, tendons and muscles near joints. This is a wear-and-tear, cumulative injury.
Why Do Knee Injuries Happen on the Job in Florida?
Work-related knee injuries develop from wear and tear, overuse or trauma. Some jobs, by their nature, expose workers to a greater risk of suffering disabling knee injuries.
For instance, serious knee injuries frequently result when carpet layers kneel on hard surfaces and use a knee kicker to install carpet. Workers who routinely crouch, squat or work in confined spaces such as electricians tend to suffer cumulative knee injuries.
Traumatic knee injuries can occur in the workplace because of accidents, including falls and motor vehicle accidents. Examples include:
- A healthcare worker who slips and falls due to a slick hospital floor surface
- A welder who falls from a roof at a construction site
- A landscaper who slips while climbing down from the back of a flatbed truck
- A supermarket worker who runs a pallet jack into a wall because its brakes fail.
Who Is at Risk of Knee Injuries at Work?
Workers who routinely crouch, kneel or stoop or work in confined spaces face the risk of suffering knee injuries. Industries and occupations that involve this type of work include:
- Agricultural work
- Construction
- Electrical installation and repair
- Environmental science fieldwork
- Equipment repair
- Pest control
- Pipefitting
- Plumbing
- Rigging
- Sheet-metal work
- Shipyard work
- Telecommunications installation and repair
- Welding, cutting and brazing.
How Can a Florida Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Help with Your Knee Injury?
If an employee files a Florida workers’ compensation claim for a knee injury, an employer may challenge the claim. For instance, the employer may contend that an employee had “bad knees” before they started working at the company or may argue that the injury is not job-related.
An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer, Frank Eidson, P.A., can help you to establish a solid case for why you deserve benefits to help you cope with your knee injury. In addition to filing all necessary paperwork, the attorney can work with medical and vocational experts to assess your case.
In some cases, you may be eligible for compensation that goes beyond workers’ comp benefits. If a party who is neither your employer nor a co-worker caused your knee injury, you may be able to pursue what a personal injury lawsuit, or “third-party claim.”
Call us today to receive a free review of your case and discuss the best strategy for seeking the benefits and compensation you deserve.
For More Information:
9 Common Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Workers Compensation Case