Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are among the most common and frustrating workplace injuries. Whether you’re on your feet all day, lifting heavy objects, or climbing ladders, your knees take on a tremendous amount of strain.

When something goes wrong, it can change your ability to carry out basic job duties. For many workers, a knee injury doesn’t just mean pain; it can mean lost wages and medical care you can’t afford.

If you suffered a workplace knee injury, workers’ compensation benefits are designed to help. Unfortunately, employers and insurance companies don’t always make it easy. That’s where an experienced knee injury lawyer at Pond Lehocky can help.

Common Types of Workplace Knee Injuries

The knee is a complex joint made up of bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. When any part of it is damaged, movement becomes painful or impossible. Some of the most frequent workplace knee injuries include:

• ACL and MCL tears. The ACL and MCL ligaments stabilize the knee, and tears often happen during heavy lifting or accidents involving falls or twists. A warehouse worker carrying heavy boxes, for example, may pivot quickly and feel the knee “give out.” Recovery can involve surgery and months of rehab.
• Meniscus injuries. The meniscus acts as a cushion in the knee, and repetitive kneeling and squatting can cause painful tears. Plumbers, electricians, and healthcare workers often develop meniscus problems due to constant bending.
• Fractures. Falling from a ladder or being struck by heavy machinery can cause broken bones in the knee joint, requiring surgery, metal implants, and long recovery times.
• Bursitis. Inflammation of the small sacs of fluid around the knee. Roofers, carpenters, and tile workers who spend hours kneeling are especially at risk.
• Arthritis and degenerative conditions. Years of repetitive strain can accelerate wear-and-tear arthritis, limiting mobility and making physical work difficult. Even if arthritis existed before, a workplace accident can worsen it, leaving a worker unable to continue their job.

Any of these injuries can sideline you from your job for weeks or months, or even cause you to be unable to return to work.

How Knee Injuries Affect Your Ability to Work

When your knees are injured, almost every movement becomes a challenge. Jobs that require standing, climbing, bending, or lifting may feel impossible. Workers in industries like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, delivery, and warehousing are especially vulnerable, since their jobs put extra demands on their joints.

Even desk jobs can be impacted. Sitting for long periods may cause swelling and stiffness, while walking around the office could be difficult. In serious cases, workers can’t commute or drive. Sometimes, they may not even be able to manage daily household responsibilities.

A knee injury can disrupt your entire livelihood, leaving you worried about how to pay bills while you recover.

Workers’ Comp for Knee Injuries

If you injure your knee at work, you may be entitled to workers’ comp for knee injuries. These benefits typically cover:

• Medical expenses. From doctor visits and imaging tests to surgeries, injections, and physical therapy. Medication costs may also be covered.
• Rehabilitation costs. Ongoing therapy or assistive devices to help restore mobility.
• Lost wages. Compensation for the time you can’t work due to your injury.
• Long-term disability benefits. If your injury causes permanent limitations.

Treatment for knee injuries can be extensive. Some workers need arthroscopic surgery, a total knee replacement, or multiple rounds of therapy before they can return to work. Others may never regain full mobility. Without workers’ comp, these costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars, which is far more than most families can absorb.

Why Workers’ Comp Claims Get Denied or Minimized

Unfortunately, many valid knee injury claims are denied or minimized by insurance companies that don’t want to pay. Common tactics include:

• Arguing that the injury was pre-existing rather than work-related.
• Claiming the injury is less severe than reported.
• Offering partial rather than full disability benefits.
• Disputing the need for surgery or long-term treatment.

For example, an insurer might argue that your torn meniscus is simply “degenerative” and not related to your job, even if the injury happened suddenly at work. Or, they may try to rush you back into a job that requires climbing or lifting before your knee is ready.

These denials can leave injured workers stuck with unpaid bills and no income while they’re unable to work. That’s why it’s so important to have a workplace knee injury attorney on your side.

How a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Can Help

Insurance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their bottom line. You deserve the same level of advocacy. A skilled workers’ comp lawyer can:

• Gather and present medical evidence to prove the extent of your injury.
• Demonstrate that the injury was directly caused by your job duties.
• Negotiate with insurers to secure full wage-loss and medical benefits.
• Fight denials and appeal unfair claim decisions.
• Pursue long-term or permanent disability benefits when needed.

For example, if your employer claims your ACL tear happened outside of work, a lawyer can work with your doctor to show how the injury occurred on the job. If an insurer denies surgery, your lawyer can appeal and push for approval so you can get the treatment you need.

At Pond Lehocky, our attorneys have handled countless knee injury cases. We know how devastating these injuries can be and how important it is to secure benefits quickly so you can focus on healing.

Get Help After a Workplace Knee Injury

A workplace knee injury can change your life in an instant, but you don’t have to face the recovery process or the workers’ comp system alone. Pond Lehocky’s team of experienced attorneys is here to fight for your rights. We’ll hold insurers accountable and help you get the benefits you deserve.

Contact Pond Lehocky today to speak with a dedicated workplace knee injury attorney. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand your options so you can get the compensation you need to move forward.