Raleigh Workers’ Comp for Knee Injury

How a North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help with Your Workplace Knee Injury

Navigating a workers’ compensation claim for a knee injury can be difficult. It’s especially tough when you’re in pain and off work.

While you could try to go through the process on your own, a lawyer is better positioned to fight for maximum compensation while you’re healing. An experienced North Carolina workers’ compensation attorney knows how to:

File accurate and timely claims – Missing deadlines or providing incomplete information can jeopardize your benefits. Your attorney can draft and submit your claim accurately and within the appropriate time frame.

Document the injury properly – It’s important to document your injury in a way that makes it less likely to be denied. For instance, an injury by accident claim is easier to win than an occupational disease when it comes to knees. The average employee handling the case themselves would probably not know that. An attorney can help you gather medical evidence, witness statements, and workplace records to support your claim.

Negotiate a fair settlement – Insurance companies may offer less than you deserve. A skilled attorney will fight for compensation that covers your expenses, lost wages, and ongoing care.

Advocate after disputes or denials – If your claim is challenged or denied, an attorney will fight for you before the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

When you’re dealing with a workplace knee injury, you need attorneys who are truly invested in your recovery. Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. leverages decades of experience in every case we handle. We pride ourselves on offering personal attention to every client while advocating for the best outcome possible. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your knee injury claim.

Occupations Where Knee Injuries Most Commonly Occur

Knee injuries can happen at any job, but they’re more likely to occur in physically demanding roles. For example, construction and manufacturing jobs often involve more lifting, repetitive strain, and falls. Delivery drivers spend their days carrying packages and climbing in or out of vehicles and are subjected to more collisions while driving their vehicles. Healthcare workers are vulnerable while lifting patients and staying on their feet all day.

However, anyone can suffer on-the-job knee injuries, even office workers. No matter your occupation, you may be entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits – if your injury resulted from an accident that occurred while you were at work and performing work-related duties. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to file a claim, a skilled North Carolina workers’ comp attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. can evaluate your knee injury case and explain your options.

Common Knee Injuries

Our knees are some of our most vulnerable weight-bearing joints. Some of the most common types of work-related knee injuries include:

Meniscus tear – The meniscus is cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Twisting motions or heavy lifting can cause it to tear. This often results in pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. You may require surgery and/or physical therapy to recover.

Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL) – Ligaments provide stability for joints. A sudden impact, fall, or awkward movement can tear ligaments. This may require surgery, therapy, and extended time off your feet for healing.

Fractured kneecap – A direct blow to the knee can fracture the patella. This injury may require immobilization, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation.

Tendon tears – Tendons connect muscle to bone. Heavy lifting or awkward movements can result in a tear. Torn tendons may cause sharp pain, swelling, and loss of mobility. If the tear is severe, you may need surgery.

Knee bursitis – Repeated kneeling, direct trauma, or long periods on your feet on hard concrete floors can inflame the bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee). This inflammation causes persistent pain and swelling.

Chondromalacia patella – The cartilage beneath the kneecap can soften or deteriorate. It’s often caused by repetitive stress or misalignment. If your job requires climbing stairs or ladders, you’re more vulnerable to chondromalacia patella.

No matter what type of knee injury you’ve suffered, early diagnosis and proper documentation are the key to building a strong workers’ compensation case. Because these injuries may require extended recovery time and ongoing care, workers’ comp benefits are critical.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Knee Injuries

You may be entitled to several types of benefits for your on-the-job knee injury. Workers’ comp benefits are intended to cover your medical needs and provide financial support while you recover or adjust to long-term limitations.

Depending on the severity of your injury, workers’ compensation benefits may include:

Medical treatment – Workers’ compensation covers reasonably necessary medical expenses related to treating your knee injury. For example, you may require knee surgery, physical therapy, doctor visits, imaging, and prescription medications.
Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits – TTD benefits replace your wages while you cannot work at all due to your injury. These benefits are limited to two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits – If you can return to work in some capacity but earn less because of your knee injury, TPD benefits cover two-thirds of the difference between your pre-injury average weekly wage and what you are able to earn afterwards.
Permanent disability payments – You may be eligible for permanent disability benefits if your injury results in long-term limitations or permanent loss of function, whether partial or total. These benefits and their amount are based on a disability rating from your doctor. Knee injuries are considered part of the leg in North Carolina workers’ compensation law. If you lost 100% of the use of your leg (amputation), the insurance company would have to pay you TTD for 200 weeks. If the doctor says you have lost 10% of the use of your leg, they will have to pay you TTD for 20 weeks (10% of 200 weeks).
Vocational rehabilitation – If your knee injury prevents you from returning to your original job, you may receive job retraining, education, or job placement services.

Successfully securing these benefits often hinges on a few key factors. Filing your workers’ comp claim accurately and on time is essential. You’ll also need strong documentation of your injury, including how and where it occurred. If any of these factors are missing, your claim could be delayed, reduced, or denied.

Legal guidance from a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney can help you by supporting and properly filing your claim as well as getting the medical care you need. The attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. know how to seek benefits for knee replacements, reconstructive surgery, long-term physical therapy, and chronic pain management.

Factors That Can Affect Your Workers’ Compensation for Your Knee Injury

The first thing most injured workers ask is how much their claim is worth. That number can vary dramatically based on several key factors. Understanding what influences your claim can help you set realistic expectations.

Here’s what can impact your workers’ comp settlement for a knee injury:

Severity – Serious injuries requiring reconstructive surgery or total knee replacement may result in higher settlements.
Extent of possible recovery – If your injury leads to long-term pain, limited mobility, or permanent disability, it could increase your claim’s value.
Ability to work – In most cases, this is the most important factor. If your injury prevents you from returning to your former job (or any kind of employment), your settlement may reflect your total loss of earning capacity. The parties try to predict how long you may be out of work or earning less because of your injury.
Future earning capacity – Younger workers or those in physically demanding roles may receive higher compensation. The increased compensation is due to the long-term impact their injury may have on their income. Your age, job type, and projected future earning capacity will impact your claim. In North Carolina, a claim is usually limited to 500 weeks of compensation with very few exceptions.
Causation – If there’s a question about whether your injury is work-related, your benefits could be delayed or denied.
Legal representation – An experienced attorney can calculate the value of your claim, negotiate with your employer’s insurer, and protect your right to full benefits.

The average workers’ comp knee injury settlement in North Carolina varies depending on the specifics of your claim. Having an experienced advocate on your side is critical to help you make your case and argue for the maximum amount possible.

Call Our Raleigh Workers’ Compensation Lawyers to Get Started on Your Case

You don’t have to navigate the workers’ compensation system alone. The workers’ comp attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. can help you every step of the way, from filing an initial claim to negotiating a fair workers’ comp knee injury settlement.

We have over 90 years of combined experience and offer extensive legal knowledge and the compassion you need during a difficult time. Every client receives hands-on care and regular updates through our state-of-the-art case tracking system, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your case. Our team has helped thousands of workers in North Carolina get the benefits they need to recover from their on-the-job injuries, including a $2.625 million workers’ compensation settlement. One happy client said:

“Excellent communication and was very effective in analyzing the situation and working diligently to resolve the issues. I was very pleased with the professionalism and expertise of the staff and highly recommend them.” – Theodocia Shabazz

We have fluent English and Spanish-speaking staff to assist you after your workplace accident. Call us today at 919-661-9000 or contact us online for your free consultation.

Workers’ Compensation for Knee Injury in Raleigh, NC