WORKERS’ COMPENSATION FOR KNEE INJURIES IN MINNESOTA
Knee injuries are the third most commonly occurring workplace injury in the United States, and can involve a sprain, strain or tear. Tears to the meniscus or the ligamentous structures within the knee (frequently the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL) can require surgery and an extended period of work disability. Once an employee is able to return to work, part time or light duty accommodations may be required during the recovery period or on a permanent basis. knee injuries frequently cause a loss of income and employment insecurity, especially for those whose jobs involve physical labor, and threaten the financial wellbeing of the employee and the family.
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Overexertion, twisting of the leg, contact with equipment, falls, slips and trips are the most common causes of work-related knee injuries. Frequent types of knee injury include a torn meniscus, kneecap fractures (patella fracture), knee joint fractures, knee dislocation, unstable kneecap, anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL injury), posterior cruciate ligament injury (PCL injury), collateral ligament injury (CL injury), torn tendons, and knee bursitis.
Regardless of the diagnosis, knee injuries frequently involve extended periods of time off of work, income loss, expensive medical treatment and often surgery. At Griffel, Dorshow & Johnson, we will fight to protect your rights under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation system.
Types of Workers’ Compensation benefits for knee injuries:
If you have sustained a knee injury on the job, we can help you qualify for and receive:
- Wage Loss Benefits for full disability or a reduced income (Temporary Total Disability and Temporary Partial Disability)
- Benefits for the injury itself (Permanent Partial Disability)
- Benefits in the event that you are permanently unable to return to work (Permanent Total Disability)
- Medical Expense benefits with no co-pays, deductibles or out-of-pocket payments
- Rehabilitation and Retraining Benefits
- Survivors’ Benefits
Jobs associated with workplace knee injuries (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008):
- Transportation and material moving occupations
- Nursing aides, orderlies, attendants
- Laborers and freight, stock and material movers
- Truck drivers, heavy tractor-trailer
- Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
- Industrial machinery mechanics
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Regardless of whether your job is a high-risk profession for knee injuries, we have over 100 years of combined Workers’ Compensation experience. We are well placed to help YOU with YOUR work-related knee injury, and to maximize your coverage and security.
The insurance company has a team of experts, why shouldn’t you?
Why You Need a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Even though all employees have the legal right to receive work injury compensation, they often have substantial troubles getting it paid. The insurance company may deny your workers’ compensation claim at the outset, arguing that the injury was somehow unrelated to work, was not reported on time, or was filed incorrectly. Alternatively, the insurer may accept your claim at the beginning, only to deny wage loss or medical treatment if you are unable to recover quickly. To receive all possible protection and statutory compensation for your work injury, you’ll need an experienced lawyer to stand up for you. Every work injury is different – there is no “cookie cutter case” – and we advise our clients on the best possible strategy available to them considering their specific injury and work environment.
