According to data cited by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), approximately 6.7 million Americans seek professional medical attention for knee injuries each year. A significant number of knee injuries are linked to the workplace. This raises an important question: How much is a workers’ comp knee injury settlement? The answer depends on a wide range of case-specific factors. At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, we help injured workers get justice and full benefits. Here, our Phoenix workers’ comp attorney provides a guide to knee injury settlements in Arizona.
The Most Common Types of Work-Related Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can come in a wide range of different forms. All knee injuries sustained on the job require immediate care. Some of the most common types of work-related knee injuries include:
- Knee Sprains: A knee sprain is an injury that occurs when the ligaments that stabilize the knee are overstretched. Sprains are most common in jobs that require quick movements
- Torn Meniscus: A torn meniscus is a serious injury. It results from damage to the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. A tear may be caused by heavy lifting or sudden twisting.
- Torn Ligaments (ACL, MCL, PCL): Torn ligaments in the knee—the ACL, MCL, or PCL—may be caused by sudden stops or changes in direction. The recovery process is often very long.
- Knee Dislocation: A knee dislocation is a very serious injury. It is always a medical emergency. A dislocated knee can leave a person with permanent physical impairments.
- Bone (Patellar) Fracture: Another very serious kind of knee injury is a patellar fracture. A patellar fracture involves a break in the kneecap.
- Tendonitis and/or Arthritis: Any type of significant knee injury could leave a worker with long-term ailments, including painful and debilitating tendonitis and/or arthritis.
The Key Factors that Will Impact Your Workers’ Comp Knee Injury Settlement
How much is a workers’ compensation knee settlement in Arizona? The answer depends on many different case specific factors. A knee injury settlement could be four, five, or even six figures. Some of the most notable factors that can affect your workers’ comp knee injury settlement include:
- Severity of Your Knee Injury: The severity of a knee injury will have a big impact on the value of your settlement. As a general rule, the workers’ comp settlement will increase with the severity of the knee injury. Severe injuries may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Chronic pain or remaining complications can lead to a larger settlement.
- Pre-Injury Earnings: Your earnings before the knee injury will also play an important role in determining the value of your settlement. Workers with higher pre-injury wages typically receive higher compensation through a settlement. The reason being that the calculation of lost wages is based on your average earnings prior to the injury.
- Remaining Impairment (Expected): Finally, a worker’s remaining physical impairments will affect the value of their settlement. Indeed, an Arizona worker who was left with permanent impairments will often be in a position to get a higher settlement amount. The degree of disability is assessed to determine how it affects your capacity to earn in the future. A worker will typically be assigned an impairment rating based on their injury. The higher the remaining impairment, the greater the potential settlement.
What to Do After Suffering a Serious Knee Injury On the Job in Arizona
Following a knee injury while on the job in Arizona, you need to take immediate action to protect your health, well-being, and legal rights. Here are four things that injured workers should do:
- See a Doctor: Your health and safety are always the top priority after suffering a work-related knee injury. Do not try to “work through” acute knee pain. If you sustained any type of knee injury while on the job in Arizona, it is imperative that you seek prompt medical care. Your knee injury may be more severe than you initially realize.
- Notify Your Employer: In Arizona, injured workers have a duty to notify their employer of a job-related knee injury. If you fail to notify your employer of a knee injury in a timely manner, you could be denied compensation for your damages.
- File for Workers’ Comp: Under Arizona law (Arizona Revised Statutes § 23-901), workers are entitled to no-fault workers’ compensation insurance. If you sustained a knee injury on the job, you have the right to file for workers’ comp. Through a workers’ comp claim, you can seek benefits for your medical cost and wage replacement.
- Speak to a Lawyer: If you suffered a serious knee injury while on the job in Arizona, you may be able to get workers’ comp settlement. As noted, the value of your settlement for a knee injury will depend on many different factors, including the severity of your injury and your remaining physical limitations. A top-tier Arizona workers’ comp lawyer can help you take action to fight for the absolute maximum settlement.
Why Trust Snow, Carpio and Weekley for a Workers’ Comp Knee Injury Claim
Did you suffer any type of knee injury in the workplace in Arizona? You need prompt medical care and the maximum financial compensation. You should file a workers’ compensation claim. At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, we are here to help you navigate the claims process—including negotiating for the absolute maximum possible knee injury settlement. With a commitment to justice, our Arizona knee injury lawyers know how to get results in complex cases.
Set Up a Free Consultation Regarding Workers’ Compensation for Knee Injury in Arizona
At Snow, Carpio and Weekley, PLC, our Phoenix workers’ compensation attorneys are standing by, ready to help you navigate the claims process. We put injured workers first. If you have any questions or concerns about workplace knee injuries, our team can help. Call us now at (877) 370-5788 or contact us online for a free, no obligation review of your case. From our offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Lake Havasu, we handle workplace knee injury claims across Arizona.