Getting Compensation for Knee Injuries

There’s a reason that many workout programs spend a lot of time talking about how to protect your knees while exercising. Knee damage can leave you with permanent mobility issues, chronic pain, and a lingering limp. Car accidents put an enormous amount of stress on your knees and can result in serious injuries.

If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. The personal injury team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell is ready to fight for you. Call our Bay Minette office at 251-651-0483 or our Chatom office at 251-847-2237 to set up a consultation now.

Knee Injuries Can Have Long-Reaching Effects

This type of injury can be very difficult to treat. While some knee injuries heal with time, rest, and gentle stretching, others result in damage that requires surgery. However, surgery on this part of the body is not always successful. The average recovery time for knee surgery is six months, but many people don’t feel “back to normal” for 12 months. Those with permanent damage may have tightness in the knee area, a limp, or ongoing pain.

Different Knee Injuries

The type of injury you suffer determines your treatment options, your recovery time, and the amount of compensation you may be able to recover. Injuries include:

• Knee fracture. A broken kneecap can be extremely difficult to recover from, not to mention incredibly painful. Your kneecap can break at one or multiple spots, possibly leaving floating fragments. Since it is a relatively stable bone, it does not always require surgical treatment.
• Torn meniscus. Caused by forceful twisting, a torn meniscus can leave you immobilized on one leg and in severe pain. It can occasionally be treated with physical therapy, but often requires surgery.
• MCL tear. Damage to the medial collateral ligament often results in pain, swelling, and tightness of the affected area. It often heals on its own without interference but may require more intensive treatment if healing does not occur naturally.
• Torn ACL. Commonly associated with sports injuries, a torn ACL can leave permanent damage. Not only is a torn ACL painful, but it can also leave you unable to walk, bear weight, or otherwise move normally. The prognosis of an ACL tear is essentially the opposite of an MCL tear. It is almost guaranteed not to heal on its own and almost always requires surgery at a nearby facility like North Baldwin Infirmary or Washington County Hospital. Even with surgical treatment, you should plan on at least six months of recovery time and physical therapy.

Knee injuries have the potential to affect you for the rest of your life, impacting your work, independence, and ability to care for your family.

Call Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell to Talk About Your Options

You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve been injured through no fault of your own. The sooner you explore your legal options, the easier it may be to build a strong case for you. Set up a consultation with Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell now. You can contact us online, call our Bay Minette office at 251-651-0483, or call our Chatom office at 251-847-2237.