How to get compensation for a knee injury

Knee injuries commonly happen in slip/trip and falls, but also as a consequence of car accidents.  They can have a long lasting impact. A serious knee injury can prevent an injured person from returning to work.

Common knee injuries

One typical injury is a ligament sprain. It can be caused by sudden twists or excessive force on the knee joint. If you are browsing this site you may have heard of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. It’s in the centre of the knee joint and gets commonly injured. It often requires reconstructive surgery. To find out more about compensation for total knee replacements click here.

 

Another common injury type is a torn or split meniscus. This refers to torn cartilage. Symptoms include swelling and pain, and also an inability to straighten the leg.

 

One other typical problem is called Patello-femoral pain syndrome. This refers to pain behind the knee cap. Walking on stairs, squatting or sitting can cause pain.

 

Treatment and costs

Physiotherapy is one option to manage pain symptoms, and can increase strength and mobility.

 

If surgery is required, a commonly applied method is called arthroscopic surgery, where the operation is performed through small cuts. More severe cases, however, require open surgery (when the joint is laid bare).

 

Until your compensation claim settles, you need to make arrangements in respect of the upfront costs of your treatment. While treatment for knee injuries is funded by Medicare, there may be a waiting list (especially for some surgeries). It is possible to speed up the process if you have private health insurance. Alternatively, if you have a workers’ compensation claim on foot then usually WorkCover Queensland would fund the necessary treatment.

 

How much compensation can I get?

Determining the value of a knee injury case is a complex process. Generally, 12 to 18 months pass between the injury and settlement, although in serious knee injury cases, it can take longer. During this time we obtain medical evidence to help us assess the value of your claim.

 

General damages (pain and suffering)

The amount of compensation you can receive as general damages depends on the nature and severity of your injuries and the extent of your pain and suffering. In many cases, the compensation amount is fixed by legislation. In some other cases, the court has broad discretion.

 

Where general damages is capped by legislation, experts will rate the severity of your injuries on a scale of 1 to 100. For example, a serious knee injury may be rated 11 to 24 out of 100. The applicable general damages award is between $21,740 and $57,930 (at the time of writing, assuming the Civil Liability Act applies to the claim).

 

If there is no cap, then the court can award you more for general damages.

 

How do you know if there is a cap in your case? We advise about this once we have investigated your claim. If we find that more than one company may be liable to pay you compensation (which often happens on construction sites) then chances are your claim is not capped.

 

Loss of earnings (also future earnings)

It’s not well known but this is often the most “lucrative” component of your compensation claim. You can be compensated for earnings you lose or may lose because you are not able to work due to your injuries. Past earnings loss (loss between the date of injury and settlement or judgement) is generally proven based on tax returns and other financial documents.

 

Compensation for future economic loss (loss you incur up to retirement age) depends on your age, your residual earning capacity, but other factors may also be taken into account. Please note: we can recover lump sum compensation now for losses you might incur in the future. Click here to access our free brochure which contains more information.

 

It’s important to realise you are also entitled to be compensated for superannuation contributions which you would have received but for your injuries.

 

Past and future medical expenses

Past medical expenses refers to expenses which you incur between the date of the injury and the date of settlement or judgement.  Think of X-Rays, MRI scans, GP visits etc. To ensure that you receive compensation for all expenses incurred, it is important to keep receipts.

 

In addition to medical expenses, you can also recover travel expenses, and in some cases other other things as well such as accommodation costs.

 

Future expenses are those which you will incur after the date of settlement or judgement. These expenses are based on estimates provided by medical and other experts. The estimates take into account any need for further surgery, likely medication expenses, likely further travel expenses, any special equipment (think of reclining chairs, special shoes etc).

 

The value of services received for free from family

You are generally entitled to be compensated for the value of services received for free, such as care received from family members. Again, you are entitled to compensation for services received between the injury and settlement or judgement, as well as the value of future services. However, there are some legislative thresholds which may apply to your case and which may limit your entitlements. We can advise further during the initial interview.

Free book offer: what to expect in your injury claim

Many firms try to rush you to sign up with them without carefully considering your options. We encourage you to first learn about your personal injury claim. You should ask yourself:

  • How do you calculate your compensation amount?
  • How should you choose your lawyer? Do you just choose by firm name regardless of who is really in charge of your matter? Has your lawyer ever argued a case in court?
  • What is a no win – no fee agreement? How much will it cost?

Our book is available to you free of charge. You don’t have to be a client to receive this book. Head to the order page and we will be happy to send you a copy straight away.

Oszkar Denes Seven Deadly Sins that can wreck your personal injury claim

25% cap on legal costs

 

In Queensland, most compensation firms will charge you 50% of your compensation amount – the maximum allowed at law. This is very expensive. Our fee is different. We will cap our fee at 25%.  Remember also, these are the maximum fees we will charge. If our fee in your claim is less, then we charge the lesser amount.

 

Before you engage us, we will provide you a written Disclosure Notice and a Client Service Agreement. These documents set out in detail the service we provide, as well as our fees and outlays. Before you sign anything, you can take these documents home with you, and study them with your family. You can take as long as you need, there is never any pressure from us. If anything in these documents doesn’t make sense to you, we can discuss it with you and you are free to ask another lawyer to give you advice.  And remember, no win – no fee agreements come with a 5 day cooling off period for extra peace of mind.