At some point in most people’s lives, they experience knee pain. The cause of knee pain can be age, health, recreational activities, and of course, work. Knee injuries at work often result from acute injuries, such as those from slip and fall incidents. Other times the injury may be due to wear and tear.
Wear and tear injuries can manifest in many different body parts. One particularly prevalent place is in the knees. Knee wear and tear is more common than you might think in the workplace. It is not difficult to imagine that careers such as tile installers or construction workers will be at a greater risk of knee injuries than bank tellers. Almost any profession can be susceptible to wear and tear knee injuries if the job responsibilities require frequent, repetitive use of your knees.
Types of Knee Injuries
The knees are particularly susceptible to wear and tear injuries. Some expected knee wear and tear injuries include:
- Sprains and strains;
- Ligament tears, including ACL, PCL, or MCL tears;
- Tendinitis;
- Arthritis;
- Kneecap fractures;
- Carpet layers’ knee;
- Meniscus tears;
- Bursitis; and
- Dislocations.
Even if you have only been experiencing minor soreness or tenderness, you may be suffering from a more severe injury than you may think. Don’t wait until your pain and injury become increasingly worse. Speak with a knowledgeable workers’ compensation attorney today to discuss your eligibility for a claim.
Treatment for Knee Pain Wear and Tear
The type and severity of your injury will dictate your course of treatment. Different forms of treatment include:
- Physical therapy,
- Stretching,
- Light exercises,
- Heat/ice packs,
- Over-the-counter painkillers,
- Injections, and
- Surgery.
Speaking with a medical professional before beginning any treatment would be best. Typically, your doctor will have you first try the least invasive treatment and proceed to surgical repairs only if necessary.
Preventing Knee Injuries at Work
Although some injuries are unavoidable, there are certain precautions that you can take to prevent injuries at work. It may seem obvious, but always be aware of your surroundings and watch where you are walking. If a job task requires you to maneuver in an unsafe or strained manner repeatedly, you should speak with your supervisor.
It is also essential to stretch periodically gently. Sitting, kneeling, or standing in one position for long periods can cause strain on your knees. Regular stretching can help prevent new injuries and aggravation of existing ones.
Knee Wear and Tear Injuries and Workers’ Compensation
Unlike acute injuries that occur suddenly from an accident, wear and tear injuries occur over time. It is much more difficult to prove a causal connection between work and knee wear and tear injury. Although not as easy, it is certainly not impossible, and the help of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney can drastically improve your chances of a successful claim.
You might wonder why it is difficult to prove a connection between wear and tear of the knees and work. The answer is two-fold. The first thing you must do is prove the injury exists. With wear and tear injuries, this may not be as obvious as a broken bone and twisted ankle. The second step is proving your job duties caused this wear and tear injury, which is not always easy.
Insurance companies often argue your job did not cause your wear and tear knee injuries.
Many other activities can cause knee injuries, and insurance companies are quick to point this out as they deny your claim. To establish a causal relationship between your knee wear and tear injury and your job duties, your attorney will rely on evidence, including medical records, employment history, lay witness statements, expert testimony, and video footage.
A skilled workers’ compensation attorney will challenge the insurance carrier to ensure you receive the medical care and compensation you deserve.
Typical Jobs and Tasks that Cause Wear and Tear Knee Injuries
Many career paths are more likely to lead to knee wear and tear injuries. Some of these apparent job positions include:
- Carpet/floor installer,
- Housekeeper,
- Construction work,
- Miners,
- Plumbers, and
- Fitness instructors.
Less obvious careers that can still lead to knee wear and tear pain include any job that may require a prolonged standing or sitting period or frequent shifting between the two.
This list is not comprehensive, wear and tear knee injuries can occur in almost any profession. If you believe you are suffering from a knee injury related to your employment, we urge you to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney immediately. An attorney at Petro Cohen, P.C. can guide you through the process of reporting a claim, seeking medical attention, and asking for work accommodations, as necessary.
Trust Petro Cohen for Your WEAR and TEAR Claim
Petro Cohen, P.C. has assisted injured workers in South Jersey for decades with an emphasis on WEAR and TEAR™, or repetitive stress injuries. The firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department has more than 100 years of combined experience, among Department Head and Senior Partner Frank Petro, Partners Suzanne Holz Meola, and Terri Hiles, and attorneys Daniel Rosenthal and Sam Scimeca. Working together with you, they will ensure you receive the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve. Petro Cohen, P.C. has offices to serve you in Northfield, Cape May Court House, Cherry Hill, and Hamilton, NJ. To determine if you may have a potential workers’ comp and/or personal injury case, schedule your free and confidential consultation with a Petro Cohen, P.C. attorney by calling 888-675-7607. You can contact us through our online form or via 24/7 live chat at PetroCohen.com.
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