Knee Injury at Work in Virginia
I talk to several people who have suffered a Virginia workplace knee injury. Knee injuries can be very painful and can sometimes take several visits to the doctor or diagnostic testing to properly diagnose. To read about the types of workers compensation benefits you can receive if you have injured your knee at work in Virginia, click here.
Types of Knee Injuries (as stated by Rothman Ortho)
- Knee Fracture – Your patella, or your knee cap, protects your knee joints from injuries or further damage. When you fall or collide with an object or a person, your kneecap makes first contact and shields the different parts within your knee joint. This makes the kneecap susceptible to fractures.
- Knee Dislocation – A knee dislocation occurs when the knee bones come out of place. This can happen when there is a large impact on the knee, such as a fall, a collision, or a car accident.
- Knee Ligament Injury – Ligament injuries are extremely common in sports. They occur when the knee is overextended or moved in a way it shouldn’t naturally move and the ligaments are unable to support the movement. Because the ligaments serve to keep the knee in place, if they’re forced too much, they aren’t able to do their job and they can stretch or tear.
- Meniscus Tear – Meniscus tears occur frequently during sports where jumping or twisting is involved, such as volleyball. Meniscus tears also are common in sports such as football or soccer, where athletes change direction quickly while running. Any type of knee twisting, cutting, or pivoting can result in a torn meniscus. Sometimes the meniscus also tears from wearing out over time.
- Knee Tendon Tear – Tendon tears can happen to anyone, but are especially common in middle-aged people who are running or engaging in jumping sports and other activities. Landing awkwardly after coming down from a jump is a common way to injure the tendon, as the tendon is unable to support the overextension.
If you have injured your knee at work, you should seek medical care immediately. Knee injuries that are left untreated can become worse over time and additional damage can make your healing process take much longer.
If you injured your knee at work in Virginia, you may be covered by Virginia Workers Compensation benefits. These benefits can include pay for necessary medical care, and if applicable, pay for lost wages.
Treatment will be dependent on the exact type of injury and severity but could include any of the following:
- elevation
- rest
- ice therapy
- compression
- knee splint
- crutches
- knee immobilizer
- physical therapy
- medication for pain and/or swelling
- surgery
Recovery time could last weeks or even months. If the injury was disabling, you may not be able to return to work at all, or at least not in the exact position you once held.
Contact a Lawyer
You need to contact a lawyer to make sure you are under the proper Award to protect your benefits now and into the future. If you are unable to return to your former position or if the workers compensation insurance company denies you medical care or lost wage pay, call a lawyer immediately. 804-755-7755
About the Author: Michele Lewane
The Injured Workers Law Firm is a Richmond, Virginia based firm solely focused on serving clients with workers' compensation claims in Virginia. If you have questions about your benefits or if you would like more information on the Virginia workers’ compensation system, order our book, “The Ultimate Guide to Workers’ Compensation in Virginia” , or call our office today (804) 755-7755.