Common Knee Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall on someone else's property may result in a severe knee injury.
Slip and fall accidents are very common in Shrewsbury, Newark, and locations throughout New Jersey, especially during the winter months. Property and business owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe but, unfortunately, they don't always meet this responsibility. As a result of this negligence, people can be left seriously injured.
Many people suffer knee injuries in slip and fall accidents. This can result in pain, bruising, and swelling. A knee injury can impact mobility, and victims may have difficulty performing work duties and their usual activities. Knee injuries may require surgery, medication, physical therapy, and multiple follow-up appointments.
Several types of knee injuries are common in slip and fall accidents.
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Fractures
In many slip and fall accidents, the victim falls forward onto their knees. The force of impact from the fall can result in a patellar fracture – a broken kneecap. There are different types:
- Stable fracture – The pieces of the broken bone are still in contact or very close together
- Displaced fracture – The pieces of the broken bone are separated and don't line up.
- Comminuted fracture – The bone is broken into several pieces.
- Open fracture – Fragments of broken bone sticking out through the skin.
Sprains
There are four major ligaments in the knee – the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). When someone falls, there is a sudden movement, and ligaments in the knee can stretch beyond their normal range of motion. This can result in a sprain. In addition, people may feel and possibly hear a pop in the knee when this injury occurs.
Torn meniscus
The meniscus is cartilage (flexible, fibrous tissue) that serves as a shock absorber in the knee. A medial meniscus and lateral meniscus are located at the top of the tibia bone. During a slip and fall accident, there can be a sudden turn or twist of the knee while the foot remains in place, resulting in a torn meniscus.
ACL injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament is very prone to injury in a slip and fall. ACL injuries are graded on a severity scale:
- Grade 1 – The ligament has been stretched and has experienced mild damage but can keep the knee joint stable.
- Grade 2 – There is a partial tear of the ligament, and it can't provide full stability to the knee joint.
- Grade 3 – There is a complete or near-complete tear of the ligament.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident caused by negligence, you have the right to seek financial compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injury, lost wages if you couldn't work, and other damages such as pain and suffering.
But the process of recovering compensation can be complicated. Negligent business and property owners often deny doing anything wrong and may even try to blame you for what happened. In addition, insurance companies may dispute the seriousness of your injuries and will try to limit the compensation you receive.
An experienced New Jersey slip and fall accident lawyer can build a strong case and fight for the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Shebell & Shebell, LLC can help.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Shrewsbury, Newark, and throughout New Jersey.