A knee injury might not sound like a big deal until you’re the one living with it. Suddenly, you’re dealing with pain and limited movement, and everything from walking to getting out of the car becomes a challenge. What might’ve seemed like “just a sprain” or a “sore knee” turns into months of discomfort, physical therapy, and missed time from work.
This article explores common knee injuries, their long-term consequences, financial impact, and how a Chicago personal injury attorney can help if your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.
What Are Common Knee Injuries?
The knee can be injured in several ways, and none of them are easy to deal with. However, specific injuries show up frequently in personal injury cases.
Torn Ligaments
Torn ACLs, MCLs, and PCLs are some of the most common knee injuries. Most people think of athletes when someone mentions a torn ACL, but it can sideline anyone. Recovery takes time, and most people need surgery to repair it.
Meniscus Tears
A torn meniscus usually comes with stiffness, swelling, and a nagging feeling of your knee being locked in a certain position. It’s relatively common after the knee gets twisted and, like torn ligaments, can happen to anyone.
Fractures
A broken kneecap means no driving, no stairs, and no walking without crutches. Even once it heals up, people frequently deal with weakness for a long time (or even permanently).
Dislocations
When the bones in the knee are dislocated, it’s a painful and traumatic experience. Dislocations are often seen in car crashes and serious falls, and they need immediate medical attention and sometimes surgery.
What Are the Financial Consequences of a Knee Injury?
Medical care isn’t cheap, and a lot of people are surprised that a knee injury can rack up huge costs in a hurry. Depending on how you got hurt, you might have to figure out how to pay for:
- Emergency room visits
- X-rays
- MRIs
- Follow-up visits
- Surgery
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Medications
If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t be left to shoulder the financial fallout on your own.
Long-Term Consequences of a Knee Injury
One of the hardest things about a knee injury is that the aftermath doesn’t always end when your treatment is completed.
Physical Pain
Many victims of knee injuries may continue to experience:
- Chronic pain
- Reduced use of the joint
- Arthritis
- Frequent swelling
- Permanent disability
In some cases, people need knee replacement surgery years after the initial injury, even if they’re relatively young.
Personal and Emotional Impacts
Knee injuries can leave you unable to return to the job you had before, especially if it required a lot of standing, lifting, moving around, or other physical demands. This can leave injured victims feeling lost and overwhelmed, struggling with both physical pain and the psychological toll of a loss of independence and having to rely on others to get around.
The financial strain, coupled with the emotional distress, can create uncertainty, making it difficult to envision a stable future. Add in the stress of bills piling up because you can’t work, and it’s not surprising that many people deal with anxiety and depression after their accident.
What Compensation Is Available to Knee Injury Victims in Illinois?
Someone’s knee is injured daily because of another person’s lack of care. Maybe a driver ran a red light, or a workplace didn’t fix a safety hazard. Others can slip on wet floors in a store that didn’t bother to post warning signs.
In cases of negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim that can help you recover compensation for more than just your hospital bills. A claim should factor in future treatments, lost wages, lost future income, pain and suffering, and other financial losses tied to the injury.
Why Are Knee Injury Claims Complicated?
Knee injuries are tricky from a legal perspective because they’re not always visible like a broken bone in a cast is. You can look perfectly fine to other people when, in fact, you feel a constant grinding pain or can’t keep your balance when you walk.
Insurance companies often try to minimize knee injuries in an effort to reduce or deny payouts. They may try to argue that the injury was already there or blame you for the accident. If they do make an offer, it’s often quick and doesn’t come close to covering everything you’ve lost. And once you take it, you can’t go back later to ask for more money.
That’s why it’s so important to have strong evidence that supports your case. Medical records, doctors’ notes, imaging scans—even personal journals or videos—can help show the severity of the injury and the real impact it has on your life.
There are also deadlines that can bar your claim if missed. In Illinois, the statute of limitations generally gives accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can put your case at risk, regardless of how solid it is.
It’s best to talk to a Chicago personal injury attorney early, even if you’re still recovering. An experienced attorney can help you assess your claim to determine the applicable deadlines and what your options are for pursuing compensation.
Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation With Our Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys
If a knee injury has turned your life upside down, it’s time to take the next step. The team at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers understands what you’re going through. We can guide you through your legal options and assist you in building a strong case.
Call us today for a free consultation with our Chicago personal injury lawyers. We can help you fight for the compensation you need to move forward.