Knee injuries are a common occurrence in the workplace, particularly in industries that involve heavy lifting, repetitive motions, slips, trips, and falls. Knee injuries can range from minor sprains and strains to more serious conditions such as torn ligaments and cartilage, and even fractures.
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, workers who suffer knee injuries on the job are covered under the state’s workers’ compensation program. This means that the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance will pay for the employee’s medical expenses and provide benefits for lost wages while the employee is unable to work.
To be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, an employee must report the injury to the employer within 120 days of the accident. The employee must also provide medical documentation of the injury and its severity. Once the employer and the insurance company have received this documentation, they will begin the process of determining the employee’s eligibility for benefits.
Treatment for knee injuries typically begins with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication. More severe injuries may require physical therapy and/or surgery. In some cases, the employee may be unable to return to their previous job. In that case they are entitled to receive wage loss benefits until they find work on their own of the insurance company successfully cuts off their benefits in court.
In conclusion, knee injuries are a common occurrence in the workplace and are typically covered by workers’ compensation in the state of Pennsylvania. If you have suffered a knee injury on the job, it is important to report the injury to your employer and provide medical documentation in order to be eligible for benefits. Treatment for knee injuries may include rest, physical therapy, and even surgery, and vocational rehabilitation may be available for those unable to return to their previous job.
It is important to understand that workers’ compensation is a complicated area of the law. The insurance company has lawyers. Shouldn’t you? Call the Law Offices of James V. Monaghan for a free consultation from an attorney certified by the Pennsylvania Bar Association as a specialist in Workers’ Compensation.
