Workers' Compensation Claims for Knee and Leg Injuries

knee and leg injuries and workersThe knees and legs are some of the busiest parts of the body: you engage them while walking, sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and kneeling. A severe leg or knee injury can be debilitating, challenging your mobility and making basic daily tasks difficult. These health complications can even affect your ability to earn a living, especially if your job involves lifting or other manual labor.

Knee and Leg Injuries in the Workplace

Sadly, accidents resulting in knee and leg injuries are frequent in the workplace. Some of the most reported injuries include:

  • Strains
  • Sprains
  • Dislocations
  • Worn or torn cartilage
  • Inflammation
  • Meniscal tears
  • Quadriceps tendon tears
  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage
  • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) damage
  • Combined knee ligament injuries or collateral ligament injuries
  • Fracture of the femur (thigh), knee joint or cap, or tibia (shin)

These and other common workplace leg and knee injuries are often the result of overuse, repetitive motions, falls (especially slips and falls), being struck with a hard object, or knee or leg crushed between two objects.
Though anyone can suffer an on-the-job leg or knee injury, workers in the following industries are considered particularly at risk:

  • Construction
  • Mechanical and engineering
  • Nursing and other healthcare services
  • Retail and restaurant services
  • Housekeeping, janitorial, and maintenance
  • Trucking and other transportation services
  • Manufacturing
  • Other manual labor

Depending on the severity, these injuries may require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and significant time away from work—all of which could cost you. Fortunately, if your knee or leg injury was sustained in the workplace or while performing your work duties, you may be entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits, such as:

  • Medical benefits. All reasonable and necessary care, including emergency treatment, visits with general practitioners and specialists, hospitalizations, surgical procedures, rehabilitative therapies, prescription medications, reimbursement for mileage to and from appointments, and future related medical costs.
  • Wage replacement payments. Reimbursement for wages lost when out of work for more than seven days. Payments consist of two-thirds of your average weekly wage, paid for a certain number of weeks determined by the nature and severity of your leg or knee injury.

Consult a Knowledgeable Georgia Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Navigating Georgia’s workers’ compensation system can be confusing, and adjusters for your employer’s insurance company are often looking for ways to pay less than you deserve. Don’t trust a workers’ compensation insurance adjuster to act in your best interests. If you suffered a serious knee or leg injury on the job, contact Van Sant Law today to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation.

 

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