The knee is an important part of our bodies. It handles our weight and supports multiple activities, such as walking or running. Injuring the knee can be incredibly painful and can impact your mobility, restricting you from doing certain activities.
A Houston knee injury lawyer can help you if you suffer a knee injury from an accident that was not your fault. They can help you get compensation to cover your damages, such as medical expenses. Contact a knee injury lawyer if you need help seeking justice from the responsible party.
What to Do After a Knee Injury
You need to seek medical attention immediately after injuring your knee. This is important regardless of how minor you think your injury is. The doctor will determine if your injuries need more attention or not. They can give you a medical diagnosis, as well as your treatment options.
Knee injuries such as fractures or breaks can be serious. Postponing a visit to the doctor can be disastrous, receiving a medical diagnosis early can improve your chances of making a complete recovery. Ignoring it can worsen things and result in an even longer recovery time or inability to regain your previous range of motion.
Another important reason to visit the hospital is that it acts as proof of your injuries. Your Houston knee injury lawyer will then have the proof that your injury resulted from the accident. Failing to seek medical attention within the next few days after getting a knee injury risks your chances of getting compensation as it can cast doubt on your claims. The insurer might doubt that your injuries are unrelated to the accident or are not the at-fault party's responsibility.
Types of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are some of the most common injuries, especially for people with an active lifestyle or physically taxing jobs. There are approximately 2.5 million cases of knee injuries every year. Because of the knee's complexity in makeup, it is easily susceptible to various injuries. These injuries are painful and limit the amount and type of activities you can do. Some of the most common types of knee injuries are:
Dislocations/ Fractures
Three bones connect to make up the knee joint; the thigh, patella, and shin bone. The patella is more vulnerable and, as such, fractures more than other bones. However, the shin and thigh bones can also fracture, especially from high falls or other high-impact accidents.
Aside from fracturing, these bones are also prone to dislocating. Dislocations occur when the knee bones experience so much force that they move out of their positions. A hard impact can partially or completely force the bones out of alignment.
Strains
A knee strain occurs when a muscle or tendon stretches or tears. Tendons are made up of fibrous tissues and connect muscles and bones. The two main tendons are the patellar and quadriceps tendon. Forceful impact on the knee or lacerations can tear the tendons, resulting in a painful knee injury.
Straining your knee can cause swelling, difficulty walking, bruising, trouble straightening your leg, and other painful symptoms. This limits your range of movement and can stop you from doing regular activities. You may need to walk with assistance or stay off your leg for a while until it recovers.
Sprains
Sprains are tears or stretches on the ligaments, fibrous tissues connecting two bones in a joint. Knee ligaments include the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and the medial collateral ligament (MCL).
Tears or stretches to these ligaments are extremely painful. They can also result in stability problems as the ligaments are unable to bear weight. Getting medical assistance as soon as possible takes the pressure off your knee.
Establishing Liability in Knee Injury Cases
Establishing liability in a knee injury accident depends on the proof you have. It also depends on where the accident occurred and the party responsible for the accident. Some of the most common causes of knee injuries are:
- Workplace accidents
- Boating accidents
- Slip and fall
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Construction accidents
You need to prove where the accident happened and the circumstance surrounding the accident. You can get a free case evaluation with your Houston knee injury lawyer to help you find out how you can prove these accidents. Some of the evidence you may need to establish liability in a knee injury case includes:
- Medical reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Pictures or video footage of the accident and your injuries
- Medical bill receipts
- Any other damages you might get from the accident
Your lawyer can help you gather some of this evidence to support your case. They can also assist you to find more proof connecting the accident and your injuries to the responsible party. You can keep a detailed record of your injuries and treatment process as further proof of your injuries resulting from the accident.
Settlements for a Knee Injury
Knee injuries might not be the most severe injury, but they can be debilitating and result in high medical bills. Your Houston knee injury lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim against the party responsible for your injuries. This can help you get the compensation that covers your losses and other damages you might have sustained from the accident.
The settlement you receive for your knee injury depends on the liability factor. The at-fault party needs to be found liable for your injury, and your lawyer should have enough proof of their part in the injury. The settlement amount also depends on the severity of the injuries and the estimated recovery time.
The defendant might be unwilling to settle and would rather take their chances in court. Don't let this worry you; your Houston knee injury lawyer will represent you in court to fight for the justice you deserve. Some of the damages you may get for your injury include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy
- Reduced earning capacity
Contact the Dolman Law Group Today
At the Dolman Law Group, we will not let you suffer in pain for someone else's negligence. We are ready to advocate for your case and will help you get the compensation you deserve from the responsible party. Contact us today to get started on your free case review.
Houston Office
6330 Gulf Fwy Suite 110
Houston, TX 77023
Phone:
(281) 524-4370