Understanding Knee Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents

One of the most common causes of personal injuries is a slip, trip, and fall accident. It can also be one of the most devastating types of personal injury accidents. According to statistics, one out of every five falls will result in serious injury such as a broken bone or head injury. More tragically, falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the world. The same is true in the United States, where falls account for over 42,000 deaths each year. Of non-fatal fall accidents, one of the most common personal injuries are to the lower limbs. In fact, knee injuries from falling are one of the most common and often most devastating types of lower limb injuries. If you or a loved one suffered any type of knee injuries from falling in New York, call our slip and fall lawyer in Staten Island for help.

Here at the O’Connor Law Firm, our skilled and knowledgeable team can help victims and their families recover compensation for knee injuries from falling in New York. These are often complicated cases because of the medicine involved, since most knee injuries require surgery now and may require surgery in the future. That’s why we use leading liability and medical experts to help prove your case and explain the full extent of your injuries to allow a judge or jury to properly compensate you.

We also offer FREE consultations and case evaluations and, if we accept your case, we also pay the upfront costs and disbursements of litigation which are only reimbursed after we recover compensation for you. The same is true of our legal fees. To learn more about your rights to compensation, call our experienced slip and fall lawyer in Staten Island to schedule a case evaluation.

Why are Knee Injuries From Falling Common 

The knee is one of the most important joints in the body. It is also the largest joints and one of the most complex joints. Not only does it bear a lot of weight, but it is also responsible for stabilizing the lower leg while taking a step or kicking such as stepping, running, or swimming. The knee also provides strength and stability while climbing up a set of stairs, drawing on muscles from the upper leg and lower leg to do so. Moreover, the knee creates some flexibility in the leg to help turn or twist, therefore helping with the range of motion.

Although the knee is very strong and robust, the knee is suspectable to injury in a fall. This can happen from the impact which can damage the vital structures of the knee. It can also come from a twisting, pulling, or over-exertion injury in a trip and fall.

Common Knee Injuries from Falling

There are several common knee injuries from falling. All can result in serious pain and suffering, as well as lost wages, medical bills, and other damages. Many knee injuries will require surgery to repair the damage done and could have lasting results, including range of motion restrictions or permanent weakness.

Some of the most common knee injuries from falling include the following:

• Patella fracture – the patella is the little “shield” or “plate” that forms your kneecap. It is an important bone that helps stabilize the joint as well as protect it. The patella sits in a fibrous pocket and can shift when pressed on. Although this little bone is very strong and protected, it is often the first part of the knee that comes into contact with the ground in a fall. As a result, a patella fracture is often a common injury. Sometimes the bone will heal with a cast, but other times it may require surgical intervention. Other times a patella fracture could result in other damage to structures behind it.
• Meniscus tears – the meniscus is a cushioned semi-circle that sits on the inner half and another on the outer half of the joint surfaces between the lower leg bones and the upper leg bones. The meniscus is very strong and functions to cushion shock and impact to the bones above and below the knee. Although the meniscus is very durable, it is not impenetrable and it can be pinched and torn or ruptured. When this happens, the meniscus commonly requires surgical intervention to repair it. This can be extremely painful and take a lot time to heal. Even though the meniscus may be repaired to the point where it can still cushion the bones in the joint, it may be more suspectable to tearing or future damage. It may also result in constant ache or pain in the joint – even after a successful surgery.
• Ligament tears – the knee joint is held together by four ligaments known as the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL. Each ligament is on the side or front and back of the knee. They help to stabilize the joint while also giving the joint some flexibility and range of motion. When a ligament is stretched too far, it can tear and result in a serious partial or total rupture. That can cause extreme pain and limit the range of motion of the knee, causing it to become unstable. Any type of ligament tear requires surgical intervention and can make the knee joint significantly weaker or have less range of motion in the future.

Did You Suffer Knee Injuries from Falling in Staten Island? Call Our Slip and Fall Lawyer in Staten Island for a Free Case Evaluation

The knee is a very important joint. Knee injuries from falling on the property of another person, business, or government entity can result in serious or catastrophic damage to your knee and affect your entire life – especially if you are a laborer or active person. Individuals who suffer knee injuries should ensure that their rights are fully protected. Fortunately, New York law requires all property owners to use reasonable care under the circumstances in the maintenance of their property. Thus, any dangerous or defective conditions on your property which may result in a slip and fall or a trip and fall could allow you to recover compensation.

If you or a loved one suffered any type of knee injuries from falling in New York, especially right here in Staten Island, Brooklyn, New York City, The Bronx, Queens, Long Island, and in surrounding areas, please call to schedule FREE consultation with our experienced slip and fall accident lawyer at the O’Connor Law Firm. We offer free consultations and we only get paid after you get paid in a verdict, settlement, or another type of award. To learn more, schedule your appointment by dialing (718) 948-3500 or send us an email through our “Contact Us” box available here.