Workers’ compensation knee injury settlements pay compensation for workplace injuries. Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, represent injured workers in Monroe, NC, and the surrounding areas.
If you’ve been injured on the job, you may have options for your knee injury settlement. Work with an experienced Monroe workers’ compensation lawyer to get the benefits that you deserve. Call or message us now.
How Knee Injuries Commonly Occur at Work in Monroe, NC
The knee is the largest joint in the body. Bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues enable leg movement. Knee injuries are a common musculoskeletal injury.
Knee injuries can occur at work in Monroe, NC, from a variety of incidents:
- Blunt force trauma: Direct trauma from equipment, falling objects, transportation accidents, and machinery incidents may cause knee injury.
- Falling: Falling from the same level or from an elevated height, tripping without falling, or falling on an even or uneven surface.
- Awkward work position: Including kneeling, crouching, and twisting.
- Bodily reaction: Sudden awkward movement from overextension or force on impact.
- Contact with a sharp object: Causing lacerations to the knee.
- Heavy lifting: Resulting in acute or repetitive trauma.
- Improper equipment use: Poor maintenance of equipment or improper use resulting in too much force or strain on the knee.
Knee injury may include broken bones, torn soft tissue, dislocation, neuro-vascular injury, and infection, and may affect the patella, ligaments, or the meniscus. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the most common knee ligament injury in the United States.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available for Knee Injuries
In Monroe, NC, workers’ compensation knee injury benefits fall into three general categories: lost income, medical care, and impairment compensation.
Lost income
If you can’t work because of your knee injury, you may receive temporary disability compensation. Lost income compensation is payable at 66 2/3% of your pre-injury average weekly wage. There is a waiting period that may apply, based on how long you’re out of work, along with weekly minimum and maximum payment amounts.
Generally, temporary disability compensation benefits continue until you return to work. Being out of work doesn’t always match the time frame for medical care. You may return to work with restrictions or return fully while continuing medical care. Issues relating to lost income may include wage calculation, work restrictions, and earnings capacity.
Medical care
In Monroe, NC, an injured worker who qualifies can receive medical care at the employer’s expense. Except in emergencies, the worker must visit the medical provider selected by their employer.
You have the option to include a portion for medical care in your workers’ compensation knee injury settlement. That can give you the freedom to direct your own medical care in the future. How medical care is structured is an important part of any workers’ compensation knee surgery settlement.
Impairment compensation
Despite medical care and rehabilitation, permanent impairment of the knee may occur and may involve:
- Joint stiffening, fusion, immobility
- Amputation, loss of the leg
- Functional limitations, including from pain
Permanent impairment for loss of the use of the leg, including the knee, is paid at a rate of 66 2/3% of average weekly wages, for 200 weeks, according to the percentage of impairment. Your permanent impairment rating is a critical part of receiving fair compensation. A lawyer can help you build the evidence for your case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Average Settlement Ranges for Knee Injuries in North Carolina
The National Safety Council reports average settlement ranges for knee injury workers’ compensation of $39,416. However, those statistics don’t account for third-party claims outside of the workers’ compensation system. In addition, laws vary between states, which can influence typical award amounts.
Consult with an experienced attorney to understand the value of your case.
How Surgery or Long-Term Limitations Affect Compensation
Twelve percent of knee injuries require surgery. Surgery and long-term limitations can affect a knee injury workers’ compensation settlement, influencing the amount, what should be included, and the settlement timing. Your personal preferences should be considered in how you structure your award.
Our lawyers can help you explore your options and what’s most important to you.
Proving a Work-Related Knee Injury
An important part of a Monroe workers’ compensation knee injury settlement is demonstrating that the injury is work-related. In North Carolina, there must be an accident or an unusual incident that results in trauma to the knee for a claim to be valid. While a claim can be based on repetitive trauma, it is essential to have strong documentation.
The first step in proving a work-related injury is to report the injury to the employer. Following this, it’s crucial to seek timely medical care. You can further document the incident by taking photos of the area where it occurred, saving clothing or any objects involved, and identifying witnesses. A lawyer can assist you in gathering the necessary evidence and establishing the connection between the accident and your injuries.
Appealing a Denied Knee Injury Workers’ Compensation Claim
If your workers’ compensation knee injury claim has been denied, you can challenge it, but you must act quickly. You can take your case to the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) and participate in mediation.
If your case goes to a hearing, you can submit evidence. The Deputy Commissioner will issue a decision, and you can appeal to the full Commission and to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Why Hiring a Monroe Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Matters
When you’re injured on the job, your workers’ compensation knee injury settlement is important. The benefits you receive can help you both physically and financially.
At Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, we build cases for workers’ compensation knee surgery settlements. We know how important this is to you, and we’re here to fight for your benefits.
Our lawyers handle all types of knee injury claims in Monroe, NC, so call or message us now to talk about your case.
Free Case Evaluation
"*" indicates required fields
