If you have suffered a knee injury as a result of a negligent act by a third party, then you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim. Filing a claim can be your best option in recovering compensation for medical bills, lost wages and future treatment methods. No matter the level of pain, you should always visit a physician for proper diagnosis and treatment. After that, you may want to call a personal injury attorney.
Common Knee Injuries
A meniscus cartilage injury is one of the most common knee injuries. It occurs when the cartilage between the femur and tibia bones is torn. Cartilage functions as a shock absorber for these two bones in the leg and if left untreated, you may have a painful and permanent injury. Even a small tear can affect the ability of your knee to bend and the resulting friction between the bones may require surgery and/or extensive physical therapy to heal.
Fractures are pretty common as well. Usually the patella (kneecap) is affected by a knee fracture. The fibula, tibia and femur are also commonly fractures in accidents. Fractures vary in seriousness and can occur in a number of ways:
- Displaced fractures
- Open fractures
- Comminuted fractures
- Stable fractures
An open fracture may never heal properly and may require constant care, but a stable fracture may be completely healed just by minor treatment and rest.
Torn knee tendons can use a long recovery time and may require surgery. This is a particularly painful injury that can also become financially costly and may impact the quality of your life.
These are definitely not representative of all the possible knee injuries you can incur, but it is a good general guide of common problems that you may face as a result of an accident. If you are unsure about the condition you have sustained, it is best to contact a medical professional immediately after the injury occurs.
Pursuing Damages Through a Personal Injury Claim
Contacting an attorney can be the best decision you make regarding your knee injury (after seeing a doctor, of course). If you have mounting bills due to your injury and you believe that it was caused by a third party’s negligence, then you should contact a lawyer to discuss your rights to compensation from the guilty party. Don’t wait! Recover lost wages, medical expenses and emotional costs by hiring a personal injury attorney today!