Workplace Knee Injuries

Unfortunately, many workplaces are full of hazards that can cause serious injuries to employees. While the risks posed by heavy machinery, tools, and high heights at a serious construction site are fairly obvious, there are potential causes of injury in almost any type of work environment. A simple leak or exposed cable can create a dangerous situation in even the most comfortable and low-stress office environments.

Knee injuries are one common type of on-the-job injury. Unfortunately, they are also difficult to recover from, since the knee is a complex body part and a load-bearing joint. A person can do serious damage to their knees in a number of ways. Common sources of occupational knee injuries include hyper-extension from unnatural body movements, slips and falls, impacts with hard surfaces, overuse or repetitive motions, twisting or abnormal lateral movements, awkward turning or stopping.

If a worker is unfortunate enough to suffer a serious knee injury, the consequences can be painful and long-lasting. Physical symptoms can include knee pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling, popping, swelling, limited range of motion, or sensitivity to pressure. If a person's job requires regular strain to be put on an injured knee, the problems will only get worse. This is why jobs involving physical labor are the most common sources for workplace knee injuries.

Knee injuries can result in problems that extend far beyond the reach of physical pain, though. Medical bills can put serious financial strain on a family, particularly if they do not have good medical insurance. If the injured individual is the family's main provider, the results can truly be catastrophic, forcing a reliance on credit cards and other debt-inducing payment methods. Having to take time off work to recover will only make the financial strains of a knee injury more devastating. Even if an injury appears to have been cured, there is a chance that serious, expensive surgery may be necessary to fix problems in the future.

If an employer does not keep a workplace clean and free of unnecessary obstacles, the risk for workers suffering knee injuries will be greatly increased. When a negligent employer does not meet safety standards and puts their employees in harm's way unduly, they should be held responsible for their actions. Employees can seek compensation by contacting a legal professional experienced in dealing with workers' compensation cases.