Knee Injury
A knee injury might not sound as serious as something like head trauma, but it can still flip your life upside down in ways you may not ever expect.
The knee is one of your body’s most complex and important joints, responsible for helping you walk, run, sit, drive, and work. Quite simply, it is involved in nearly every single move you make, so in the event that it goes out, you’ll quickly realize just how much you rely on it.
What makes matters worse is that these injuries often come out of nowhere. Whether it’s a car crash on I-25, a fall in a downtown Denver parking garage, or a sudden movement at work, the results can be devastating. Torn ligaments, crushed bones, and ripped cartilage can all do serious harm, and they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
Common Causes of Knee Injuries
In a city as busy as Denver, CO, the potential for accidents is everywhere. If your leg slams against the dashboard or twists in the impact of a vehicle accident, the sheer force can tear your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or outright shatter your kneecap. Motorcycle or bike crashes can be even worse, seeing as there’s little to no protection for riders.
Slips and falls also rank high on the list of causes. Icy sidewalks during the winter, cracked pavement, loose tiles in store entrances, poorly lit stairs, and wet floors without warning signs indicate accidents waiting to happen. One misstep, and your leg can buckle beneath you.
Work-related injuries are another significant contributor. Construction site employees, delivery drivers, and warehouse staff are at high risk. Knees take a beating on the job, and a wrong move with heavy equipment can end a career.
Types of Knee Injuries
Everyone experiences knee injuries differently. Some may only keep you from moving around for a few weeks, while others may leave you dealing with pain for the rest of your life.
A torn ACL or medial collateral ligament (MCL) is brutal. You often hear about these in the context of sports injuries, but they’re still very much a possibility for anyone to experience. Both the ACL and MCL stabilize the knee, and when they’re ripped, the results may include surgery, months of rehab, and possibly permanent weakness.
Meniscus tears are also common. The meniscus is the cartilage that cushions the knee joint, and damage here often means grinding pain, swelling, and the risk of arthritis as the affected individual ages.
A broken patella (kneecap) or tibial plateau can sideline you for months, and recovery might involve the need for pins, plates, or screws. Post-traumatic arthritis, nerve damage, and chronic instability aren’t unheard of, either. You might be stuck walking with a permanent limp, or you may need a brace or a cane for the rest of your life.
The Full Impact of Knee Injuries
When the knee is damaged, the subsequent pain is not just a physical matter, as medical bills will pile up fast. Your ER visit, tests (like MRIs), surgeries, and physical therapy aren’t cheap, and if you can’t work, the financial strain worsens.
But it’s not just the finances. Your mental health takes a hit, too. You likely won’t be able to drive, potentially causing you to miss out on time with your kids, your hobbies, and your routines. You might not be able to run errands or even stand in line at the coffee shop; in simpler terms, every task becomes a struggle. And it’s exhausting when you feel stuck in your own body.
Relationships can also suffer after an accident. Your social life shrinks, you avoid going out because walking is hard, and you’re irritable because of the pain. Altogether, a damaged knee is the first domino to fall, causing a slew of effects that you can’t really stop.
You Deserve Compensation for Your Injuries
If someone else’s actions caused your knee injury, you have a right to seek compensation for your financial losses and everything else the accident took from you.
Injury claims are as much about accountability as they are about financial support; holding the responsible party liable sends the message that your pain matters and that they don’t get to walk away like nothing happened.
In Colorado, the law gives you the chance to pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical bills (past, present, and future)
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
You should never have to downplay what you’re going through. A knee injury is serious, and you deserve an equally serious response.
Contact Our Denver Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
You didn’t ask to be in such a situation, of course, but you do have control over what happens next. If your knee injury occurred because of someone else’s negligence, it’s time to take action.
The team at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers understands what you’re up against, and we’re ready to fight for the compensation you’re owed. Contact us online or call (720) 613-9706 today to schedule a free consultation.
