Knee Injury Workers' Compensation

In almost every state, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover injuries sustained on the job. There is a good chance that you are eligible for workers’ compensation if you receive a regular paycheck from the company you work for, although there are exceptions. You can use our State Workers’ Compensation Resources to determine the eligibility requirements in your state.

In most cases, workers’ compensation provides both medical and disability benefits. Medical benefits cover the costs associated with diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating an injury sustained on the job. Disability benefits provide partial wage replacement (also known as “partial wage coverage”) while you are unable to work due to an injury. The amount you can recover will depend on a number of variables, including the severity of your injury. How long will you be unable to work, whether you can work in a different occupation, and how much money you made prior to your injury. Additionally, state disability benefit rates vary, and you must ensure that your employer’s insurance company does not terminate your medical benefits prematurely. If you stop receiving medical benefits before you are fully recovered, you may require legal assistance to ensure that you receive the full benefits to which you are entitled.

Yes. The workers’ compensation system is “no-fault.” This means that you are eligible to receive compensation even if you caused your own injury. There are exceptions (e.g., if you were intoxicated when you were injured, you may not be eligible for benefits), but the vast majority of work-related injuries are compensable regardless of how they occurred.

Yes. Workers’ compensation is “no-fault,” so your employer must pay regardless of whether it caused or contributed to your injury. Despite the fact that many work-related knee injuries are caused by safety violations and other forms of employer negligence, it is not necessary to prove negligence in order to receive workers’ compensation benefits.

Maybe. This question’s answer varies from state to state. In some states, you can see your own physician immediately. In some cases, you may be required to choose a doctor from a list of preferred or approved providers provided by your employer.