Factors That Affect the Value of a Knee Injury Case

The knee is one of the most critical parts of the body since it supports movement and uprightness. A knee injury can have devastating effects on your life. That is why you need full compensation for your knee injury. Below are some critical factors that often determine how much you can receive for your knee injury.

Nature of the Injury

The knee is a complex joint that can suffer multiple forms of injuries. Examples of knee injuries include:

• A fracture to any of the bones of the knee, such as the kneecap
• A tear to any of the ligaments that connect the thighbone to the shinbone
• A tear to the cartilage that cushions the space between the thighbone and the shinbone

The injuries differ in pain severity, treatment type, and recovery duration. Each of these injuries can also occur with different severities. For example, a sudden blow to the kneecap might shatter it into different pieces or create a hairline crack. A shattered knee would command a higher value than the hairline crack.

Treatment

Treatment affects all forms of injury claims, including knee injury claims. Below are the treatment-related costs that matter.

Diagnostic Tests

As mentioned above, knew injuries come in different types. Your doctor might order one or more diagnostic tests, such as an x-ray, to determine the type and severity of your injury. The cost of the diagnostic tests forms part of your medical bills that the defendant must pay for.

Treatment Type

Treatment for knee injuries depends on your overall health, lifestyle, and the nature and severity of the injury, among other things. Treatment options include:

• Medication, including injections
• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic care
• Surgery

Each of these treatments attracts different values. For example, surgery and injections tend to have higher values. However, no matter what treatment you need for your injury, all of them can impact the value of your case.

Treatment Duration

The duration of your treatment may help you prove your injury's severity and your level of pain. Prolonged treatment also tends to raise medical costs. In some cases, the insurance company might limit the treatment sessions, such as acupuncture sessions, it's willing to pay.

Effect on Work

Like other injuries, a knee injury can lead to lost wages or lost income potential. The value of lost wages depends on your job. For example, you can suffer severe income loss if:

• You are a professional sportsperson who need their knees to play
• Your profession requires you to carry heavy loads
• You are a dancer

In some cases, a severe knee injury can even end your career. In such a case, the liable party should compensate you for lost future income.

Effect on Life



Your lifestyle determines how much a knee injury can affect you. For example, a knee injury might:

• Prevent you from enjoying some hobbies, such as basketball
• Prevent you from riding a bicycle
• Prevent you from engaging in yard work

You might have to prove your pre-accident lifestyle to get the related damages.

Prognosis

Lastly, your knee injury's prognosis can also affect your settlement. Full recovery is not a given since a knee injury might leave you with chronic or lifelong pain. In extreme cases, you might even need mobility or assistive devices that the liable party should pay for too.

Borbi, Clancy & Patrizi has the skills and experience your knee injury claim needs. Contact us for a free initial consultation to determine your case's value and help you pursue the damages. We look forward to meeting with you and helping you during this often difficult time. We also are happy to answer any questions you may have.