From minor strains or sprains to an ACL or MCL tear, knee injuries can be inconvenient, painful, and incredibly stressful. Financially, you have to handle medical expenses while missing out on your usual income. But remember, you always have options and the legal right to recover compensation.
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Personal Injury Law
Knee injuries have a profound impact on your everyday life. You could be laid up for weeks or several months for a total knee replacement surgery. Aside from the financial cost and physical limitations, a knee injury also affects your emotional well-being. When you miss work and can’t enjoy normal life because of an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s time to discuss your situation with a New York knee injury lawyer.
You have rights as the victim of an accident that caused your knee injury, but you may face challenges when you’re also trying to recover physically. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., our NY personal injury lawyers are happy to help, both in and out of court. We have decades of experience and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims. We are here to communicate with the parties involved, handle every aspect of your knee injury claim, and fight to secure you full and fair compensation.
Call 212-490-5700 or contact us online to request a free, no-risk initial consultation.
Types of Knee Injuries
The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the human body, so accidents can lead to many types of trauma. The potential compensation you can recover will depend on the component that was affected and the severity. Some common injuries to the knee include:
Torn Meniscus
The rubbery cartilage between the bones of the shin and thigh is the meniscus, which acts as a cushion against trauma. A tear or injury to this tissue may require arthroscopic surgery, or you may need a transplant of cartilage from other parts of the knee.
ACL Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which connects the front of the shin to the thigh bone, is one of four ligaments in the knee. Injuries to the ACL usually require surgery to replace the damaged tissue through other tendons around the knee.
MCL Tears
Another primary ligament is the medial collateral ligament (MCL), running from the thigh to the shin on the inner side of the knee. The MCL functions to stabilize the knee and allow rotation. Many MCL tears result from a violent impact on the outer side of the leg. Though surgery is often unnecessary, you may need to wear a cast or brace for up to six weeks.
Blunt Knee Trauma
Aside from damage to the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, trauma to the knee may result in:
- Bone fractures, including the kneecap;
- Tendinitis;
- Knee dislocation;
- Bursitis, which is inflammation of the tissues that surround the tendons and ligaments; and,
- Soft tissue injuries.
Liability in a Knee Injury Claim
In a personal injury case, legal liability comes down to the concept of negligence. To recover monetary damages for your losses, you must prove four necessary elements:
- A person or entity owed you a duty to exercise reasonable caution;
- That party breached their legal duty through careless actions or a failure to act;
- The breach of duty led to the accident in which you hurt your knee; and,
- You suffered losses as a result of your injuries.
Common Causes of Knee Injuries
Motor Vehicle Collisions: Drivers should operate their vehicles safely, but the likelihood of an accident increases when they violate traffic laws or engage in risky activities behind the wheel. Examples include:
- Speeding or traveling too fast for conditions;
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Failure to yield; and,
- Distracted driving, such as texting, using a phone, eating, and grooming.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents: Many of the same careless acts by motorists are behind incidents that cause harm to people on foot and non-motorized vehicles. Without a strong metal barrier to protect them, pedestrians and bicyclists are at risk of serious knee injuries.
Slip and Fall Incidents: Business owners and operators are required to maintain a safe premises for people who enter restaurants, stores, office buildings, apartment complexes, and many other properties. Dangerous conditions and unseen hazards can cause knee injuries to a victim who slips, trips, or falls.
Sports Injuries: Though participants engage in contact sports by choice, you may be entitled to recover for your losses if your knee injuries were caused by negligent misconduct or hazards that should have been foreseen by those in charge of the facility or equipment involved.
Workplace Accidents: On-the-job incidents can lead to bodily harm, especially in the construction, transportation, shipping, and related industries. While negligence is not a factor in securing workers’ compensation for knee injuries at work, you may be entitled to additional compensation through a third party claim if someone outside of your employer was responsible.
Compensation After a Knee Injury
If you meet the requirements of a negligence claim, you may be able to recover monetary damages for your losses. Your compensation depends on many factors, but your knee injury attorney may be able to seek damages for:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages and Benefits
- Physical Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Reduced Quality of Life
- Reduced Earning Capacity
- Loss of Consortium
It can be challenging to put an exact figure on how a knee injury impacted your life. You may be in physical pain with limited mobility, unable to work, and you may not be able to engage in activities that once brought you joy.
At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we will thoroughly investigate the accident that caused your knee injury. We will gather evidence to identify who’s liable, and we will work with you, your family, your physicians, and when necessary, outside experts to document and calculate the value of your injuries.
To learn more about the potential value of your knee injury claim, either through a lawsuit or settlement, schedule an appointment with us today.
Speak to a New York Knee Injury Lawyer
Knee injuries should never be taken lightly, and no one should needlessly suffer because of someone else’s actions or negligence. If you’re struggling with medical costs related to a knee injury or are unable to work while you are recuperating, the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to consult with a skilled, and successful personal injury attorney.
At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we have decades of experience and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for victims like you. Let us review your situation, advise you about your options and fight for everything you’ll need to move past your injury.
Call 212-490-5700 or contact us online to set up a free, no-risk consultation. We never charge fees up-front, and you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
CLIENT REVIEWS
05/01/2015
“I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome of my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike, HKD CLIENT
05/01/2015
“I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise, knowledge of the law, and more importantly – his ability…
5
Steven, HKD CLIENT
06/05/2019
I had the opportunity of having this amazing team of lawyers work on my case. When I first met with Jordan Hecht and Michael Kusz, I really liked their energy and the spunk that they had, it meant business and…
5
Anonymous, HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I cannot recommend Jon Damashek highly enough. I attribute the favorable outcome to my case to his consummate and tireless dedication and tenacity. Just as important, he was truly there with me every step of the way. He was very…
5
Mike W., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I had the opportunity to work with Jon Damashek and had an amazing experience. I have known Jon for many years and always felt very comfortable relying on his expertise and knowledge of the law and more importantly his ability…
5
Steven B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I have worked with countless attorneys over the years and Jon Damashek stands out among them. I have seen first hand him advocate for his clients vigorously. He fights for the rights of the seriously injured, does not back down…
5
Wendy B., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I know all three named partners at this firm and highly recommend them. They are very professional and tireless advocates for their clients. If you need a personal injury attorney, you cannot do better than Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek.
5
Eric G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting with Jon Damashek I knew immediately he was the right attorney for me. I had met with other attorneys in the past, but Jon’s experience, knowledge, and track record were most impressive. I highly recommend Jon Damashek and…
5
Ryan G., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
After meeting a half dozen lawyers at different firms, I decided to go to Hecht, Kleeger and Damashek. As soon as I met Jon Damashek, I knew I had to look no further. Mr. Damashek made me feel at ease…
5
Michael R., HKD CLIENT
07/05/2015
I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal needs.
5
Peter M., HKD CLIENT