Our knees allow us to lift, walk, and change direction. These joints support our weight and push us upward from seated or stooping positions. A knee injury can cause you to lose mobility, which impacts your daily activities and ability to work.
If another party caused the accident or incident that resulted in your knee injury, you could receive reimbursement for financial losses. You may also receive compensation for the pain and suffering caused by knee injuries.
What Makes the Knee Vulnerable to Injury?
The knee is a complex joint made up of bones, ligaments, meniscus cartilage, tendons, and articular cartilage. It is the largest joint in the body.
Unfortunately, the knee is vulnerable to many injuries. Common types of knee injuries include:
Strains and Sprains
Knee strains and sprains are damage to the soft tissues in the knee. Sprains occur when the knee ligaments are torn or stretched. Sometimes, you can hear a “popping” sound when you sprain your knee.
Strains occur when the muscles or tendons are torn or stretched. Knee strains and sprains can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Knee instability and/or weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Bruising
- Muscles stiffness
- Limited range of motion
Knee strains and sprains often heal within a few weeks with rest and medication. A person might require physical therapy to strengthen leg muscles and regain full range of motion. Severe knee sprains and strains could require knee surgery.
Fractured Patella
The patella is the most common bone broken around the knee. If the patella is shattered, doctors might have to remove all of it. A patella fracture that is in large pieces might be repaired with surgery, but it depends on the break.
Damaged Cartilage
The cartilage in your knee heals, but it takes time. It could take months to heal, depending on the severity of the damage. If a piece of cartilage tears loose and enters the knee, surgery might be required to remove it before it lodges in the joint.
Damaged cartilage can cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and “clicking” in your knee. In addition to resting while the cartilage heals, the doctor might need to immobilize your knee to avoid making the injury worse.
Dislocated Knee
A dislocation happens when the bones in the knee are knocked out of place. The tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the knee can be damaged during dislocation. A dislocated knee can be serious and result in amputation without the correct treatment.
ACL Injuries
An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) occurs because of an abrupt stop, hyperextension, landing incorrectly, or rapidly changing direction. The injury often occurs with other damage to the structures in the knee. ACL injuries are serious knee injuries that often require surgery.
What Are the Common Causes of Knee Injuries?
Almost any accident can result in a knee injury. Some common causes of knee injuries include:
Blunt Force Trauma
This is when the knee is hit by a force that does not penetrate the skin, but can cause severe damage. Examples of blunt force trauma can include car accidents, falls, and workplace accidents. Blunt force trauma can cause broken bones and severe damage to the soft tissues of the knee.
Hyperextension
In this context, the knee is pulled or bent beyond its normal range. The extreme motion can tear or stretch muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. Slip and fall accidents and workplace accidents are common causes of hyperextension knee injuries.
Penetrating Injury
Something pierces the skin of the knee and could enter the knee. Even if the object does not go very deep into your knee, the risk of infection increases when an object penetrates the skin and soft tissues. Also, objects entering the knee could sever ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and muscles.
What Types of Accidents Can Cause Knee Injuries in St. Petersburg, FL?
Individuals sustain knee injuries in all types of accidents, including:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- ATV accidents
- Truck accidents
- Assault and violence
- Slip and fall accidents
- Car accidents
- Sports and recreation activities
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Construction accidents
If you sustain a knee injury in an accident, contact our St. Petersburg knee injury lawyers for a free case review. We’ll analyze your case to advise you of your legal options for recovering compensation for your knee injury.
What Damages Can I Receive for Knee Injury in St. Petersburg, FL?
Many knee injuries heal, and the victims can return to ordinary activities. However, a knee injury can result in long-term impairments and disabilities. Potential long-term effects of a knee injury can include:
- Debilitating chronic knee pain
- Instability and/or problems with balance
- Future knee replacement surgery
- Accelerated degeneration of the injured knee
- Increased use of medications to manage pain
- Amputations, in extreme cases
- Reduced mobility
- Early development of osteoarthritis or knee arthritis
The types of damages and the amount you receive depend on the type and severity of the knee injury. Knee injury settlements can include economic damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Long-term care
- Reduction in future earning capacity
In addition to receiving compensation for financial losses, you can also receive compensation for your non-economic damages. These damages include physical, emotional, and mental pain and suffering. It also includes diminished quality of life, impairments, and disfigurement.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Knee Injury Claims in Florida?
Most personal injury cases based on negligence in Florida have a two-year statute of limitations as of March 24, 2023. Injuries before that date may have a longer statute of limitations.
However, the parties involved in the case, the type of case, and other factors can reduce the time to file a knee injury claim. It is best to speak with a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The court may dismiss your personal injury lawsuit if you do not file it before the statute of limitations expires.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyer
Complications from knee injuries can cause long-term impairments and disabilities. Our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys at Lopez work to obtain the maximum compensation available for your knee injury claim. Call now at (727) 933 0015 or contact us for a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you with a knee injury case in St. Petersburg, FL.
