Knee injuries are common, especially for those engaged in physical activities or jobs that require repetitive motion. In Iowa, understanding your rights regarding workers’ compensation is crucial if you suffer from such an injury at work.
Knee pain causes and common injuries
One of the most common causes of knee pain and injuries is overuse. This happens with jobs that make you jump, kneel or bend your knees often. Sometimes, you can hurt your knee in an accident, like falling. Some common injuries include:
- Knee sprains: When ligaments, the tough tissues holding your knee bones together, stretch or tear.
- Knee ligament tears: Serious injuries affecting the different ligaments in your knee, like the ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL.
- Meniscus tears: This happens when you damage the cushion in your knee.
- Bone fractures: This means a broken bone in your knee.
- Dislocations: When the bones in your knee joint are forced out of place.
After a knee injury, it is important to rest and seek medical assistance. A doctor might give you medicine, a knee brace or send you to physical therapy. In some cases, you might need surgery.
Your rights under Iowa Workers’ Compensation law
If your knee injury happened at work, Iowa law says your employer must cover the costs of your treatment and help cover lost wages. Here is what they must provide:
Medical care and supplies
Your employer must pay for reasonable medical treatments like doctor’s appointments, crutches, and surgery. They must also cover travel costs to doctors’ appointments.
Lost wages
If your injury forces you to miss work, you can receive payments to cover some of your lost income. The type and amount depend on how long you are off work and if your injury is temporary or permanent.
Temporary benefits
If you can’t work while recovering, you can receive temporary total disability benefits. If you can work but earn less due to your injury, temporary partial disability benefits cover part of the difference.
Permanent benefits
If your injury results in a long-term or permanent disability, you could receive permanent partial disability benefits or permanent total disability benefits. These depend on how much your injury affects your ability to work in the future.
Getting an attorney to help with your workers’ comp claim can be smart. They know all the rules and can help if your boss or their insurance company tries to deny your claim or doesn’t give you enough benefits.
Knee injuries at work can be tough, but you have rights in Iowa. Do not be afraid to speak up and get the help you need. Talking to a workers’ comp lawyer might be a good idea if you’re unsure what to do.