Workplace Knee Injuries in Portland
Aside from being incredibly painful, knee injuries can have a devastating impact on your mobility, your enjoyment of life, and your ability to earn a living. Workplace knee injuries are widespread in certain employment sectors, including construction, manufacturing, service, and retail. But they are not specific to these industries. In fact, anyone can suffer a knee injury on the job.
Employees injured at work are often confused or misled about what compensation they are entitled to. That’s why attorney Jodie Anne Phillips Polich has made it her mission to take the guesswork out of the workers’ compensation process. She is prepared to help you seek the money you deserve.
Have you injured your knee at work? Contact us online or call Jodie Anne Phillips Polich, P.C., today to set up a free case evaluation with a compassionate workplace knee injuries lawyer in Portland, Oregon.
Common Causes of Knee Injuries at Work
The knee is one of the largest and most complicated joints in the human body – and one of the joints most prone to serious injury. The knee is a hinge joint, meaning it swings back and forth like the hinge of a door. It connects the largest bone in the body, the femur, with the tibia in the lower leg. Numerous tendons and ligaments surround the knee, providing support and stability.
The ends of the femur and tibia are covered by C-shaped pieces of lubricating material called cartilage. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber and prevents the ends of the bones from grinding against one another.
Since the knee is such a large and load-bearing joint, it is particularly prone to injury from overuse and traumatic events like falls, both of which frequently happen in the workplace. Common causes of work-related knee injuries include:
- Falls
- Overuse or repetitive motions
- Carrying too much weight
- Improper lifting
- Being struck by an object
- Car accidents
- Violence
If you suffer a knee injury while on the job, you should seek medical attention immediately. Avoiding treatment can make the condition worse.
Common Types of Knee Injuries Due to Workplace Accidents in Oregon
Many physically demanding jobs can put a lot of stress and wear and tear on the knees. Some of the most common types of knee injuries that occur in the workplace include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Fracture of the kneecap (patella)
- Dislocation
- ACL tears
- Meniscus tears
A knee injury can prevent you from working and earning an income while recovering. However, you may be entitled to benefits through the workers’ compensation system, which an experienced attorney can help you pursue.
Which Workers Face the Most Risk of a Knee Injury?
Anyone in any job can face a significant knee injury in the workplace. Even office workers can slip on uneven floors or fall down flights of stairs. No one is immune from workplace accidents.
However, workers in certain industries are especially prone to suffering work-related knee injuries. Jobs that require kneeling, squatting, lifting, repetitive motions, and working with heavy machinery can increase a worker’s odds of suffering a knee injury.
Workers in the following jobs are at heightened risk of knee injuries:
- Construction
- Farm and agricultural
- Housekeeping
- Carpentry and floor installation
- Mining
- Heavy industry
- Health care
- Warehouse work
- Athletics
Anyone who has a job that requires extensive walking is also prone to knee injuries.
How can you prevent a knee injury at work? Be sure that there are no tripping hazards on the floors of your workspace. You should also avoid lifting heavy objects without help or proper equipment. Knee pads and other protective gear may also help prevent certain injuries.
What Kinds of Compensation Is Available for Work-Related Knee Injuries in Oregon?
If you are hurt on the job, you may have options for recovering valuable compensation to cover your medical expenses and partial lost wages. Your first is the workers’ compensation system.
Oregon requires most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance policy that helps injured or ill employees pay their medical expenses and offset a portion of their lost wages. “No-fault” means you can still receive benefits regardless of who was to blame for the accident. If you are injured on the job and want to apply for workers’ compensation benefits, you must report the injury to your employer.
If you are injured on the job through the negligent actions of someone other than your employer or co-workers, you may be able to file a third-party lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. For example, if you work in construction and a third-party sub-contractor causes an accident, you could hold that third-party accountable for their actions in a personal injury lawsuit. With a third-party personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, the total amount of your lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
How a Workplace Knee Injury Lawyer Can Help You
Unfortunately, simply being entitled to workers’ compensation benefits is no guarantee that you will receive them – or the total amount you deserve. Your employer might fight your claim to prevent their insurance premiums from going up, while their insurer might deny your claim or minimize your payout to protect its bottom line.
That’s why you need an attorney to protect your rights and help you navigate what’s often an overly complicated bureaucratic system. You need someone who can document the extent of your injuries, prove that they happened at work, negotiate a settlement, and potentially represent you at a Board hearing. The sooner you begin working with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer, the better chance you will receive the full benefits that you’re entitled to.
Contact Our Experienced Portland Knee Injury Lawyer Today
The process of handling a work-related knee injury claim can be complicated. Let an experienced work-related knee injury attorney handle it on your behalf. Jodie Anne Phillips Polich has dedicated her legal career to protecting the rights of injured workers. Contact her today for a free consultation.